COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Group 5 2E Medical Technology Organic Chemistry Laboratory

ABSTRACT
The experiment was about the comparative investigation of organic compounds; wherein it aimed to label
a set of given organic compounds in various classifications, by different means of investigation. The
different organic compounds used were cyclohexane, Dichloromethane (DCM), ethanol, phenol, benzoic
acid, ethyl acetate and ethylamine. These compound samples underwent several tests, namely, solubility
or miscibility (in three reagents which were: water, 5% NaOH solution, and 5% HCl solution), ignition
test, and reaction test with litmus paper; each for the purpose of classifying the compound samples. For
the solubility test, the compounds were singularly put in each contained 3ml (60 drops) of each
mentioned reagent. The ignition test required 5 drops of the compound sample in an evaporating dish,
and was then ignited by match; flammability, and the color of the flame were noted. The litmus paper test
was only used for the compound samples that were miscible in water. Physical properties such as physical
state, appearance, color, and odor, were also noted. An undone test was included in the experiment,
which was the infrared spectrum, wherein it aimed to classify the compounds in their functional groups.
Results were noted, analyzed and checked.

INTRODUCTION
The chemical compounds of living things
are known as organic compounds because
of their close association with organisms.
Among the numerous types of organic
compounds, four major categories are found
in all living things: carbohydrates, lipids,
protein, and nucleic acids. Primarily the
basis of most organic compounds is made
up 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.
These attached atoms may even form
functional groups that can dictate the
reaction of a specific compound. These
carbon atoms has the capability to create
double and triple bonds with other atoms it
may also advance the likelihood for
variation in the molecular make-up of
organic compounds. Its variation may be
classified into hydrocarbons and
hydrocarbon derivatives.
Hydrocarbons are organic chemical
compounds that consist entirely of carbon
and hydrogen, and range from simple
molecules such as methane, to polymers
such as polystyrene, which consists of
thousands of atoms. They can be straight-
chain, branched chain, or cyclic molecules.
nnHydrocarbon derivatives are molecular
compounds of carbon and at least one other
element that is not hydrogen. This may even
lead to the formation of functional groups.
Their physical state at room temperature
may indicate the strength of interactive
forces that exists between their molecules.
The dissolution of organic compounds in
certain solvents may involve physical or
chemical interaction. The varying polarities
may contribute to its solubility in water.
Acidic and basic property depends on the
solubility in acids or bases.
This experiment aims to differentiate
organic compounds in terms of intrinsic
physical properties such as color, odor,
appearance, and solubility. The testing for
their behavior toward ignition is needed as
it brings out a chemical change.

EXPERIMENTAL
A. Compounds tested (or Samples used)
- Cyclohexane
- DCM (Dichloromethane)
- Ethanol
- Phenol
- Ethylamine
- Benzoic acid
- Ethyl acetate

B. Procedure

1. Physical State, Color, and Odor
The physical state and apperances of each
of the sample compunds were first observed
at room temperature. The color, and the
odor of each sample was then noted and
described respectively

2. Solubility Properties
nnThree (3) test tubes were prepared for
the samples. The samples were first
introduced into clean and dry test tube. Ten
(10) drops of and a pinch amount of the
liquid and solid sample compounds were
placed in the test tubes respectively. For the


solid compounds, grinding them is of utmost
importance in order to increase surface
area. Solvents of 5% HCl solution, 5% NaOH
solution, and distilled water were then
introduced into the sample compounds; 3mL
each. Proceeding this, color changes,
warming, or effervescence were noted.
Solubility of the samples (immiscible or
miscible for liquids, soluble or insoluble for
solids) were observed as well.

3. Reaction with Litmus Paper
To samples only miscible in distilled
water, its aqueous solution was tested with
red and blue litmus papers. Color changes
were observed to describe the acidity or
basicity of the sample compound mixed with
distilled water.

4. Ignition Test
Three to five drops and a pinch amount of
the liquid and solid samples, respectively
were placed in a small evaporating dish. The
samples were then ignited with a match.

5. Infrared (IR) Analysis
Types of principal bonds present in the
sample compounds were identified.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Physical properties
The chemical formula for cyclohexane is
C6H12 with the chlorine-like odor. The
chemical formula for dichloromethane is
CH2Cl2 while for ethanol is CH3-CH2-OH.
Both had an alcohol-like odor. CH3-COO-
CH3-CH2 and CH3-CH2-NH2 are the
chemical formula for ethyl acetate and
ethylamine respectively. Ethyl acetate had a
plastic balloon-like odor while the
ethylamine had a strong acridic odor. The
appearance of these organic compounds is a
clear, colorless liquid.
nnThe chemical formula for phenol is
C6H5OH and its appearance was clear,
peach liquid with the smell of poster paint.
nnThe chemical formula for benzoic acid is
C7H6O2. It is a white, crystalline solid with
no odor.


Figure 1. Cyclohexane


Figure 2. Dichloromethane

Figure 3. Ethanol


Figure 4. Phenol



Figure 5. Benzoic acid




Figure 6. Ethyl acetate


Figure 7. Ethylamine

Solubility properties
nnCyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl
acetate and ethylamine were immiscible in
water. Phenol was slightly miscible in
water. Ethanol was miscible in water while
benzoic acid was insoluble.
nnDCM, ethanol and ethyl acetate were
immiscible in 5% sodium hydroxide solution
while cyclohexane, phenol and ethylamine
were miscible in it. Benzoic acid was soluble
in 5% sodium hydroxide solution.
nnBenzoic acid was insoluble in 5%
hydrochloric acid solution. DCM and ethyl
acetate were immiscible in 5% sodium
hydroxide solution while cyclohexane,
ethanol, and ethylamine were miscible.
Phenol was slightly miscible in 5% sodium
hydroxide solution.

Acidity and basicity
nnOnly those that were miscible or soluble
in water were tested if they were acidic or
basic. Ethanol was tested and it was a
neutral compound while ethylamine was
basic.

Flame test
nnFlame test was conducted and
cyclohexane, ethanol, and ethyl acetate
were flammable while DCM, phenol, benzoic
acid, and ethylamine were non-flammable.


REFERENCES

From books
[1] Bathan, G., Bayquen, A., Cruz, C.,
Crisostomo A.B., de Guia, R., Farrow,
F., Pea, G., Sarile, A. and Torres, P.
(2014). Laboratory Manual in Organic
Chemistry.
[2] Pavia, D.L., Lampman, G.M. and Kriz,
G.S. (2005). Introduction to Organic
Laboratory Techniques: A Small-scale
Approach (2
nd
ed.). Pacific Grove, CA:
Thomson-Brook/Cole

From the internet (on-line)
[3] Conjecture Corporation wiseGEEK.
Organic Compounds.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-
are-organic-compounds.htm
10/13/14
[4] Encylopdia Brittanica, Inc. Organic
Compund.
http://www.britannica.com/EBch
ecked/topic/431954/organic-
compound 10/13/14
[5] Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Organic
Compounds.
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences
/biology/biology/the-chemical-basis-
of-life/organic-compounds 10/13/14