Caballero, Jeremy Dawn Z. Locker No.

: 104

Salvani, Marlou O. September 2, 2019

Experiment 8: Qualitative Analysis of Elements in Organic Compounds

ANALYSIS

Qualitative analysis is the detection of various elements present in an organic

compound. In this experiment, we must (1) qualitatively analyze the elements in organic
compounds; (2) determine if the test-liquid contains oxygen; and (3) determine the
presence of S, N, & Halogens using different tests. This experiment was divided into three
parts (A) The detection of Carbon and Hydrogen using CuO and C 12H22O11, (B) The
detection of Oxygen while testing the dry hexane, ethanol, and the unknown test-liquid,
and (C) Sodium Fusion – the detection of Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Halogens using the sodium
metal mixture/solution. In order to have a successful experiment we must identify whether
the mixture/solution has carbon and hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

A. CARBON AND HYDROGEN

In this part of the experiment, the organic compound that was given was Sugar
(C12H22O11), it is then mixed with the Copper Oxide (CuO), a black fine-powdered solid.
The solid mixture was put into a test tube and was then heated forming a reaction:

C + 2CuO → CO + 2Cu
Since while heating, there is a delivery tube inserted in the first test tube containing
CuO and putting the other end to the other test tube containing lime water (Ca(OH) 2) so
that while heating the vapor, CO2, of the organic mixture will be delivered to the lime
water and forming a cloudy/milky mixture with white precipitate. Thus, forming a reaction:

CO2 + Ca(OH)2 → CaCO3 + H2O

lime water milky
Whereas, it is confirmed that the organic compound contains carbon.

B. OXYGEN

During the second part of the experiment, we are tasked to test if the unknown
test-liquid has oxygen present on it. To compare, we also test ethanol and hexane, if both
compounds also contains oxygen. We put 5 drops each of hexane, ethanol, and unknown
test-liquid into three different test tubes put ferrox paper in it. And while observing,
hexane remained colorless, while ethanol turned into blood red color. Also, the unknown
test-liquid turned into blood red from colorless. This indicates that the hexane compound
does not have oxygen present in it. While ethanol and the unknown test-liquid does have
presence of oxygen in it. The change of color into blood red will indicate that a compound
contains oxygen in it.

C. SODIUM FUSION
This is the last part of the experiment which we test the unknown organic sample,
MO, for the presence of sulfur, nitrogen, and halogen (Br or Cl). These elements, namely
sulfur, nitrogen and halogens are bonded covalently in the organic compounds. Since we
have given an unknown organic sample with the code MO, to detect the elements S, N,
and halogens are present into the sample it must be converted into its ionic form.

First, we tested the filtrate for presence of Sulfur. The test solution was acidified
with 1mL of Acetic acid and was then added with Lead Acetate. This leads to a reaction:

(CH3COO)2Pb + Na2S → PbS + 2CH3COONa

The product PbS is the black precipitate present in chemical reaction, thus it
indicates the presence of Sulfur.

Second, we tested the sodium extract for presence of Nitrogen. First, we took 1 mL
of the filtrate and put into the test tube together with 2 drops of ferrous sulphate
(FeSoO4). Showing this reaction:

6NaCN + FeSO4 → Na[Fe(CN)6] +Na2SO4

The mixture is then boiled and filtered afterwards. The filtrate is acidified with
sulfuric acid and then added with 2 drops of FeCl3. If the mixture turns into Prussian blue
after adding FeCl3, it indicates that the organic compound contains Nitrogen. But since
the mixture did not change into Prussian blue but instead it remained colorless, the
organic compound does not contain Nitrogen. Supposedly this will be the reaction if the
organic compound contains Nitrogen:
 3Na4[Fe(CN)6] + 2Fe2(SO4)3 → Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 + 6Na2SO4

Lastly, we tested if the filtrate contains halogens, either Bromine or Chlorine. If

the solution forms a white precipitate, it contains Chlorine. On the other hand, if the
solution forms a yellow precipitate, it contains bromine. The 1 mL test solution was put
into a test tube and the added with HNO3 and then boiled to expel HCN OR H2S. After
that Silver Nitrate solution was added. If it forms a heavy precipitate, it indicates that the
organic compound contains halogen. Thus, forming this reaction:
NaCl or NaBr + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3
AgCl is the one precipitated out of the solution since it insoluble. Since the
precipitate of the organic compound mixture is white, hence, it indicates that the organic
compound contains Chlorine.

CONCLUSION
The whole duration processes of the experiment have been successful. First, the
organic compound sugar (C12H22O11) contains both carbon and hydrogen. Second, we
have concluded that the unknown test-liquid contains oxygen in its compound. Lastly, the
unknow organic compound with the code MO contains Sulfur and halogen – Chlorine but
it is confirmed that it does not contain nitrogen. Thus, we have qualitatively analyzed
various elements in different organic compounds including sugar, unknown test-liquid,
and unknown organic compound – MO.