TT Exercise 1 F PROPERTIES THAT DISTINGUISH ORGANIC FROM INORGANIC COMPOUNDS The basic study of organic chemistry is largely concerned with the general properties of organic compounds, their distinction from inorganic compounds, and their chemical behavior according ‘to the functional group or groups present in them. Although the chemical principles involved in the reactions of inorganic substances are fundamentally the same as those of the reactions of organic substances, certain typical differences between organic and inorganic substances need to be considered Organic compounds are. combustible, compared with most inorganic compounds. Some have no sharp melting points, and they decompose easily at moderately high temperatures. Comparatively, few of them ionize because of the nature of the bonds (covalent) that hold their atoms together in a molecule. Accordingly, they are mostly non-electrolytes, with a few weak electrolytes. They are practically insoluble in water and other polar solvents. Many organic compounds contain the same kind and number of atoms and yet, because of differences in structure, they exhibit different sets of properties. This property, called isomerism, is a rarity among inorganic compounds. Furthermore, organic chemical reactions are notably slow in’ contrast with inorganic ones. It is commonly observed in the laboratory that inorganic reactions. occur almost instantly upon putting them together, whereas even when appropriate catalysts are employed, several hours may be required of organic compounds before equilibrium of a reacting system is attained or an organic reaction is said to be completed. Test Samples Apparatus Reagent ethyl alcohol watch glass petroleum ether distilled water evaporating dish sucrose (refined sugar) _soft drink tansan (w/o plastic lining) Nacl (s) crucible tong naphthalene test tube holder 1M sucrose bunsen burner 1M NaCl test tubes n-Hexane conductivity meter Urea beakers (250 ml) CaCO; NaNOsOBJECTIVE 7 To compare organic with inorganic compounds based on the properties tested PROCEDURES A Ignition Tests 1. Flammability a. Place 2 to 3 drops of ethyl alcohol in a watch glass. Touch the ethyl alcohol with a lighted matchstick. Observe whether it is flammable or non- flammable. Take note of the luminosity (color, and amount of smoke formed) if flame is produced. b. Repeat the test, using water instead of ethyl alcohol. Compare the results obtained. 2. Charring : a. Place a pinch of sucrose in a dry soft drink tansan (without plastic lining). Hold firmly with a tong and heat over a moderate Bunsen flame for one minute. Observe what happens and describe the substance left after heating. b. Repeat the test, using @ pinch of NaCl, CaCOs instead of sucrose. Record observations. Solubility Tests 1. Place 1 mL each of distilled water into 3 separate test tubes. Add a pinch of naphthalene to the first test tube, urea to the second test tube and NaNOs to the third test tube. Shake for 2 minutes and note your observation. 2. Repeat the test, using petroleum ether instead of water. Record observ: Conductivity Tests 1. Check if the conductivity sensor is attached to the Hach Sension 5 conductivity meter. 2. Prepare in 4 separate beakers 200ml each of 1M sucrose, 1M NaCl, n-hexane and ethyl alcohol, respectively. 3. Press the exit button of the conductivity meter to switch it on. (The conductivity window will be shown if the conductivity sensor is properly attached to it.) 4, Immerse the electrode of the conductivity meter into the 200 mL 1M sucrose solution. Press read, and record the conductivity in mS/cm after the beep tone and when the icon of the electrode appears. 5. Turn off the instrument by pressing the exit button. 6. Rinse the electrode with distilled water and wipe it dry before it using for the next solution. 7. Repeat the test (steps 3-5) and 200ml of ethyl alcohol. each of the 200 mL of 1M NaCl, 200ml n-hexaneQUALITATIVE TESTS FOR ELEMENTS IN ORGANIC COMPOUNDS The predominant elements found in organic compounds are carbon and hydrogen. The next common elements are oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and the halogens (chlorine, bromine, and iodine), while the less common ones are arsenic, antimony, mercury, and other metals. The presence of these elements is known through qualitative tests specific for the element. Carbon and hydrogen are detected qualitatively by heating a mixture of the giver substance with dry copper (ll) oxide in a glass tube. The organic substance is oxidized forming carbon dioxide and water. The presence of carbon dioxide is indicated by the formation of a white precipitate of calcium carbonate when gaseous products are passed through a solution of lime water. The presence of hydrogen is indicated by the formation of droplets of water in the cool end of the tube. . The presence of oxygen may be determined either with the use of ferrox paper or the compound iron (Ill) hexathiocyanatoferrate (Ill). Ferrox paper is prepared by soaking filter paper in methanol containing equal amounts of ferric chloride and ammonium thiocyanate. In the presence of oxygen-containing compounds, the complex FeCNS” gives a deep red colored solution as it is distributed between the filter paper and the test compound. Solutions of compounds which do not contain oxygen remain colorless. On the other hand, iron (III) ammonium sulfate and potassium thiocyanate together react to form iron (III) hexathiocyanatoferrate (Ill). This compound dissolves in the presence of oxygen- containing compounds to give a red to reddish-purple color. The chemical equation for the reaction is: 2Fe(NH,)(SOc)2 “+ — 6KSCN —» Fe[Fe(SCN).] + 3K2SO, + (NHs):SOq Iron(Ill) ammonium — Potassium Iron(III) hexathiocyanato sulfate thiocyanate ferrate(III) The detection of nitrogen, halogens, and sulfur is made difficult by the non-polar nature of organic compounds since they do not ionize in solution to give ions of these elements. For this reason, it is necessary to convert these elements into inorganic ions before making qualitative tests. The conversion is done through fusion with metallic sodium, which decomposes the organic compound, and soluble salts of the above elements are formed. The reaction is represented by the equation: Organic compound {C] {H] [0] [N] [x] [S] + Na 8222» NaCN, NaOH, NaX, and Na,S Note: X represents any of the halogens: Cl, Br,.and | The resulting ionic compounds are then tested qualitatively for the presence of nitrogen, sulfur, and the halogens.