Belair High School

Subject: CSEC Chemistry

Name: ________________________
Date: 01/02/18 Lab No. 22 All You Need to Know!
Lab Write-up Sheet
Topic: Hydrocarbons: Alkanes and Alkenes

(Skills Assessed: ORR, AI and MM)

Title: Distinguishing between Alkanes and Alkenes

Aim: To distinguish between a sample of an alkane and an alkene
Apparatus/ Materials: Acidified potassium permanganate, bromine water, test-tubes,
droppers, 5 cm3 cyclohexane, 5 cm3 cyclohexene
Procedure:
Test 1. Add a few drops of acidified potassium manganite (VII) to 1 cm3 of cyclohexene with
shaking
Test 2. Repeat test 1, using cyclohexane in place of cyclohexene
Test 3. Add a few drops of aqueous bromine (bromine water) or bromine dissolve in
tetrachloromethane to 1 cm3 of cyclohexene, with shaking.
Test 4. Repeat test 3 using cyclohexane in place of cyclohexene. Record results in a suitable
table.

Questions:
1. Cyclohexane has the molecular formula C6H12 whereas cyclohexene has the molecular
formula C6H10. Compare these formulae with those of the straight-chain alkanes and
alkenes containing 6 carbon atoms. Comment on the differences found.
2. Write a balanced chemical equation for any positive reactions observed in this experiment.
3. Which of the compounds you tested showed unsaturation? Explain your answer.