ORGANIC DISTINGUISHING TESTS UNIT 2

Combustion Br2/hexane H2SO4 /KMnO4 Dry PCl5 Aq/ethanol/AgNO3/60oC

Alkane Non-smokey flame
Non-luminous flame No reaction No reaction No reaction No reaction
No black residue
Alkene Slightly smokey flame
Luminous flame Orange to colourless Purple to colourless No reaction No reaction
Some black residue
1o,2o alcohol Vigourous reaction
As alkane No reaction Purple to colourless Steamy fumes of HCl No reaction
Dense white fumes with
NH3
3o alcohol Vigourous reaction
As alkane No reaction No reaction Steamy fumes of HCl No reaction
Dense white fumes with
NH3
Halogenoalkane As alkane No reaction No reaction No reaction RCl → AgCl white ppt
RBr → AgBr cream ppt
RI → AgI yellow ppt

Method Method Method Method Method

Place 1 cm3 of the Add a few drops of Make acidified KMnO4 Add ≈0.5g PCl5 (small To 1cm3 of the
alkane into an Br2/CCl4 to 1cm3 of the by mixing 1cm3 of spatula) to 1cm3 of the halogenoalkane (e.g.
evaporating dish. Ignite alkene in a test tube. KMnO4 solution to 5cm3 alcohol in a test tube. RCl) in a test tube, add
with a lightes splint. of dilute sulphuric acid. 1cm3 of ethanol and 1cm3
USE A FUME Take a few drops of this of AgNO3. Place in a
CUPBOARD solution and add to water bath for 5min.
1cm3 of the alkene.
Repeat with alkene
Repeat with the alcohol
(heating may be needed)