CHE 102 Experiment 2

Experiment 2
Properties of Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Aim
The aim of this experiment is to
 Identify saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons using their properties and reactions.
 Study substitution and addition reactions.
Introduction
As the name suggests, hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons can be
conveniently put in four classes namely alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic hydrocarbons
(arenes). This classification is based on the type of carbon-carbon bond in these molecules.
Reactions of hydrocarbons differ widely. In this experiment you will carry out a series of tests to
investigate the properties of hydrocarbons. To exemplify alkanes, alkenes and arenes, we use
hexane, hexene and toluene respectively. Identify the given unknown and its class of
hydrocarbon!
Procedure
Work individually.
Note: 1. Work in the fume hood!

2. Perform a certain test on the three different hydrocarbons at the same time to make
a more reliable comparison of their reactivity.
3. You can start with any part – avoid overcrowding.
4. Waste management: Dispose of the organic reaction mixtures in the waste
container!
Perform the following tests on hexane, hexene, toluene and the given unknown.
Part A. Combustion
NOTE: THE GLASSWARE FOR THIS REACTION MUST BE DRY
Using a dropper, place 2 drops of the hydrocarbon on a watch glass. Remove all bottles from
the fume hood away from the Bunsen flame. Pull down the front of fume hood leaving a small
opening. Light a splint and use this to ignite the hydrocarbon on the watch glass. Note your
observations and record your results in the Report sheet.
Part B. Solubility in dichloromethane

In a small test tube, add 0.5 ml of hydrocarbon to about 1.5 ml of dichloromethane and shake
well. Record your results in the Report sheet.
Part C. Solubility in water

Add about 2 ml. of water in a small test tube and add 2 or 3 drops of the hydrocarbon to be
tested. Shake the mixture to determine whether the hydrocarbon is soluble (a colourless second
layer may be hard to see). Record your results and save the mixture for Test (D).
Part D. Relative Density

Re-examine the mixtures prepared in part (C) and decide in each case whether the hydrocarbon
is more dense (sinks) or less dense than water (floats).
Part E. Reaction with concentrated sulphuric acid

Place about 1 ml of the hydrocarbon in a clean, dry test tube and cautiously add about 1 mL of
concentrated sulphuric acid. Do not stopper the test tube but shake it carefully. Observe
whether heat is evolved and whether the hydrocarbon dissolves.
Discard the contents by pouring them into a beaker containing at least 50 mL of water.
Note your observations and record your results in the Report sheet.
Part F. Reaction with potassium permanganate
Add 2-3 drops of dilute potassium permanganate solution (0.5 % KMnO4 solution) to 0.5 ml (5
drops) of hydrocarbon and 1.5 ml of dilute sodium carbonate solution (10% Na2CO3 solution)
and shake the test tube for 1-2 minutes, and note the results.
Watch for any colour changes.
Note your observations and write down your results in the Report sheet.
Part G. Reaction with bromine water

Add 0.5 mL of the hydrocarbon to a clean test tube and add 1.5 mL of the bromine water. Shake
well and note the time taken for loss of colour (if any).
If there is no reaction, expose the test tube to the lamp in the fume hood.
Enter your results in the Report sheet.
Record the identification letter of your unknown.
Note: Record precise and complete observations – however they should not be too lengthy.
If you do not observe any reaction, do not leave a blank space but record “no visible
reaction”. Also note if the reaction is fast or slow, i.e. make an estimate of the time
required for completion of the reaction. If a colour change is observed, indicate both the
original and new colour, and state if the colour change referred to the liquid/solution, a
gas which was evolved, or a solid which precipitated.
LAST NAME:
INITIALS:
I.D.No.: GROUP: DATE:
MARKS: %
Experiment 2: PRE-LAB SHEET

Aim
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Pre-lab Questions
1. How can distinguish (using at least one test) between cyclopentane and cyclopentene?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What kind of reaction occurs when,
(a) An alkene decolorizes bromine in carbon tetrachloride. (write an equation using hexene)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(b) An alkane decolorizes bromine in carbon tetrachloride in the presence of light. (write an
equation using hexane)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
LAST NAME: INITIALS:
I.D.No.: GROUP: DATE:
Experiment 2: REPORT SHEET - Submit the lab report before leaving the lab.
Hexane Hexene Toluene
Observations/Results Observations/Results Observations/Results O
Combustion
Solubility in CH2Cl2
Solubility in H2O
Relative density
Reaction with conc
sulphuric acid
Reaction with
potassium
permanganate
Reaction with
bromine water
Reaction with
bromine water + light
Conclusion: Class of hydrocarbons to which the unknown belong to:

CHE 102 Experiment 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CHE 102 Experiment 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CHE 102 Experiment 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Experiment 2

Properties of Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Note: 1. Work in the fume hood!

Part B. Solubility in dichloromethane

Part C. Solubility in water

Part D. Relative Density

Part E. Reaction with concentrated sulphuric acid

Part F. Reaction with potassium permanganate

Part G. Reaction with bromine water

Record the identification letter of your unknown.

I.D.No.: GROUP: DATE:

Experiment 2: PRE-LAB SHEET

2. What kind of reaction occurs when,

I.D.No.: GROUP: DATE:

Conclusion: Class of hydrocarbons to which the unknown belong to:

You might also like