Organic Analyisis

Question 1

Test for functional groups: alcohols

Answer 1

Primary and secondary alcohols are identified by using a certified potassium dichromate.
Orange —> green if present

Tertiary alcohols are not oxidised and the potassium dichromate remains orange

Question 2

Test for functional groups: aldehydes

Answer 2

Tollens reagent

When added, if aldehyde is present, silver mirror form

If not solution remains colourless

Fehlings solution
Brick red precipitate will form if aldehyde is present.
If not remains blue

Question 3

Test for functional groups: Alkenes

Answer 3

Bromine water is used to test for unsaturated hydrocarbons
Orange – brown —> colourless if C=C is presence

Question 4

Test for functional group: carboxylic acid

Answer 4

React with sodium carbonate producing CO2.

Gas can be collected and tested using limewater.

Will turn cloudy if gas is CO2

Question 5

Mass spectrometry

Answer 5

An analytic technique used to measure the mass to charge ratio ions.

Helps to identify the amount and type of chemicals in a sample

Question 6

Infrared spectroscopy

Answer 6

Used to identify and study chemicals by measuring how they absorb infrared light.

Causes molecular vibrations