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ABSTRACT

Organic compunds were examined to a comparative investigation to differentiate the properties ofeach sample. The physical state at room temperature, odor and color of the sample were noted by simpleobservation. In terms of solubility in H

2O, 5% NaOH solution and 5% HCl solution, the samples were

classified as to miscible, slightly immiscible or immiscible for liquid; and very soluble, soluble, partiallysoluble or insolubse for solid. The samples also underwent a test using litmus paper to classify its acidity,basicity or neutrality. The next procedure was the ignition test, which classified the sample as to whetherthe sample was flammable, or non-flammable and the color of the flame were noted. After going throughall the tests, it was proven that organic compounds possess different properties.

INTRODUCTION

Organic compounds are the complex

compounds of carbon. Because carbon atoms

bond to one another easily, the basis of most

organic compounds is comprised of carbon

chains that vary in length and shape. Hydrogen,

nitrogen, and oxygen atoms are the most

common atoms that are generally attached to

the carbon atoms. Each carbon atom has 4 as

its valence number which increases the

complexity of the compounds that are formed.

Since carbon atoms are able to create double

and triple bonds with other atoms, it further also

raises the likelihood for variation in the

molecular make-up of organic compounds.[1]

Carbon can also bond with itself and hydrogen

to form both chains and rings calledhydrocarbons. Because the covalent bond

between carbon and hydrogen is nonpolar,

these carbon skeletons are hydrophobic.

Functional groups can be added to carbon

skeletons to make them more hydrophilic.

Differences in the carbon skeleton and attached

functional groups cause organic molecules to

have different chemical properties. The chemical

properties of a molecule determine how it

interacts with other molecules and the role the

molecule plays in the cell. Some functional

groups are hydrophobic and others are

hydrophilic.[2]

Hydrocarbons are the simplest class of

organic compounds and are composed solely of

hydrogen and carbon. This class can be further

divided into two groups: aliphatic hydrocarbons

and aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic

hydrocarbons can be classified based on the

structure and bonding of the carbon skeleton

into three groups: alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.

Aromatic hydrocarbons or arenes, which contain

a benzene ring, were originally named for their

pleasant odors. These compounds possess

special properties due to the delocalizedelectron density in benzene, including additional

stabilization due to the system of conjugated

rings consisting of unsaturated bonds, lone pairs,

and empty orbitals.[3]

Organic compounds have different

properties. They may vary in their physical state

at room temperature, color, odor and solubility in

different reagents. The experiment aims to

differentiate organic compounds in terms of:

certain intrinsic physical properties, solubility in

different solvents and behavior towards

ignition.[4]

METHODOLOGY

Compounds Tested

Cyclohexane

DCM

Ethanol

Phenol

Benzoic Acid

Ethyl acetate

Ethyl amine

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bond.htmhttps://www.boundless.com/chemistry/definition/aliphatic/https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/definition/electron/https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/definition/electron/https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/definition/aliphatic/http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bond.htm

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The solubility properties of organiccompounds using H2O, 5% NaOH solution and5% HCL solution indicates whether the solidsample is soluble or insoluble and if the liquidsample is miscible and immiscible. Solubility ofsample to the solvent is related to polarity of thetwo substances and the intermolecular forces ofattraction during the solution process. The like

dissolves like principle is involved. Water is apolar solvent so the sample that is soluble ormiscible with water is also polar. Based on theresults, ethanol, phenol, ethyl acetate andethylamine are polar compounds. The solubilityin 5% NaOH solution of a water insolublesample is an indication that acidic functionalgroup is present. Compounds that behave asbases in aqueous solution are detected by theirsolubility in 5% HCl solution.

[5]

Ethanol and phenol are miscible whilebenzoic acid is very soluble in 5% NaOH

solution. The rest of samples are immiscible.Ethanol and ethylamine are miscible in 5% HClsolution while the rest of the samples areimmiscible and benzoic acid is insoluble.

C. Reaction with Litmus Paper

Table 3. Acidity, basicity and neutrality of samples

Reaction withLitmus Paper

Cyclohexane -

DCM -

Ethanol Neutral(b-b,r-r)

Phenol Acidic(b-r,r-r)

Benzoic Acid -

Ethyl acetate Acidic(b-r,r-r)

Ethylamine Basic(b-b,r-b)

Reaction with litmus paper indicatedacidity, basicity or neutrality of water-solublesamples. Acidic solution turns blue litmus paperto red and red litmus paper to red. Blue litmuspaper to blue and red litmus paper to blueindicates a basic solution. Neutral solution ischaracterized by blue to blue litmus paper andred to red litmus paper.

As shown in the table, phenol and ethylacetate are acidic while ethylamine is basic.Ethanol is a neutral sample. Cyclohexane, DCMand benzoic acid were not subjected to thelitmus paper test because of their immiscibleproperty with water.

D. Ignition Test

Table 4. Degree of Luminosity of the Samples

The result of the Ignition test indicatesthe presence of unsaturated or high carbon tohydrogen ratio. The degree of luminosity can beassessed by the presence of yellow or luminousflame. The aromatic compounds burn with sootyflame due to the incomplete combustion, whichcauses the formation of an unburned

carbon.The higher the number of Carbon atoms,the higher the degree of luminosity. In addition,the higher the Carbon: Hydrogen Ratio, thehigher the degree of luminosity.In terms ofdegree of luminosity: aromatic compound >unsaturated hydrocarbon > saturatedhydrocarbon.

[6]

Complete combustion is indicated by ablue flame (non-luminous) and there is more

H2O 5%NaOHsoln

5%HClsoln

Benzoic Acid Insoluble Verysoluble

Insoluble

Ethyl acetate Miscible Immiscible Immiscible

Ethylamine Miscible Immiscible Miscible

Ignition Test

Cyclohexane Flammable (Luminous flame)

DCM Non-flammable

Ethanol Flammable (Non-luminous flame)

Phenol Flammable (Luminous flame)

Benzoic Acid Non-flammable

Ethyl acetate Flammable (Luminous flame)

Ethylamine Flammable (Luminous flame)

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heat than light, the carbon is completelyoxidized.

2C10H22+31O220CO2+22H2O

Incomplete combustion is indicated by a

yellow flame (luminous) and there is much lightthan heat; the carbon is not completely oxidized.

2C2H2+ 5O24CO2+ 2H2O + heat

Based on the table, cyclohexane,phenol, ethyl acetate and ethylamine areflammable with luminous flame while ethanolwith non-luminous flame. DCM and benzoic acidare both non-flammable

REFERENCES

[1] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 fromhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-organic-compounds.htm

[2] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 fromhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdf

[3] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 fromhttps://www.boundless.com/chemistry/atoms-molecules-and-ions/organic-compounds--2/introduction-to-hydrocarbons/

[4] Bayquen, A., Cruz, C., de Guia, R., Lampa,F., Pea, G., Sarile, A., & Torres, P. (2009).Laboratory Manual in Organic Chemistry.Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc..

[5] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 fromhttp://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/eprints/publication_10_5343_904.pdf

[6] Shriner, R., Hermann, C.K.F., Morrill, Curtin,D.Y. (1998) The Systematic Identification ofOrganic Compounds. 7

thed. New York: John

Wiley & Sons, Inc.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdfhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdfhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdfhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdfhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdfhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdf