PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 1

EXTRACTION

1. What is the principle involved in extraction?

Extraction is a method used for the separation of organic compound from a mixture of
compound. This technique selectively dissolves one or more compounds into an appropriate solvent.
The solution of dissolved compounds is called the extract.

2. Draw the structure of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, and the flavonoid and tannin
present in tannin.

Caffeine Theobromine Theophylline Flavonoid Tannin

3. Give the role of sodium carbonate in the extraction of caffeine from tea leaves.

The sodium carbonate acts as a base, which neutralizes or removes acidic compounds
(tannin) in the extraction of caffeine from tea. It ensures that the acidic component in tea leaves
remain water soluble and that the caffeine is free base.

4. Which of the two layers that formed during the extraction is the dichloromethane? Explain your
answer.

After a little shaking/mixing of the solution, two immiscible layers build up on the inside of
the separatory funnel. The dichloromethane settled at the bottom layer while the aqueous solution
stayed on top. This is because the dichloromethane is denser than the aqueous solution.
POST-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 1

EXTRACTION

1. Based on the results obtained, compare single extraction with multiple extractions. Which is
more efficient? Justify your answer.

In single extraction, a larger volume of dichloromethane was used in one large volume; on
the other hand, the multiple extraction is a process of repeated extractions using two equal volumes
of solvent. The latter is far more efficient than the first type of extraction because there is a better
recovery obtained from it.

2. What is the role of anhydrous sodium sulfate?

Anhydrous sodium sulphate is a salt form of sulphuric acid. It is used as an inert drying agent
which means, its role is to remove traces of H2O in the solution.

Experiment 1: Extraction

Weight of tea leaves 9.54 g

Weight of evaporating dish + caffeine

Weight of the empty evaporating dish 98.78 g

Weight of caffeine
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 2

SUBLIMATION AND MELTING POINT DETERMINATION

1. What is sublimation? Melting point?

Sublimation is the transition of a substance from the solid phase directly to the gas phase
without passing through an intermediate liquid phase while melting point is the temperature at
which a substance changes from its solid state to liquid.

2. In this experiment, why is it preferable to use an oil bath instead of water bath?

Oil bath is known to have higher boiling point (more than 100°C) than water (exactly 100°C)
that is why it is preferable to use in the experiment. The vapor generated by the oil is lesser than
that of water, thus, the sample has less chances of exposure to the latent heat of water.

3. Why is it necessary to grind the sample?

To achieve the finest sample without build-ups or lumps, it is necessary to grind a given
sample before packing it in the capillary tube. In this way, the sample is more efficient and has a
close or uniform packing.

4. Why is it important to pack the sublimate uniformly?

It is important to have a uniformly-packed sublimate inside the tube because upon heating,
it will melt consistently or evenly to give a sharp melting point determination.
POST-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 2

SUBLIMATION AND MELTING POINT DETERMINATION

1. What are the limitations of sublimation as purification method?

One of the disadvantages of sublimation is that the recovery may not be complete because
some of the gas particulates or fumes may be blown away unlike recrystallization which can recover
more pure product. One limitation of sublimation is that it requires a volatile compound or solid.

2. Give other methods of determining the melting point of a compound.

One method to determine the melting point of a compound is by packing a capillary. The
capillary tube is needed to be sealed at one end while the open end is pressed gently into a small
amount of the sample after putting a densely packed column of crystals about 3 mm high in the
tube. Then, a normal mercury thermometer is attached to it to measure the melting point of the
sample while it is being submerged in a heating bath.

A basic way would require just a simple heating of a solid sample and record the
temperature at regular intervals. But there can be some alternatives which would not require much
of an effort; an apparatus is made wherein you could just put the capillary tube holding the sample
inside, heat and then measure the melting point, this is called the Mel-Temp apparatus. It is
equipped with a digital thermometer, a black heating control knob in order to set the power level to
obtain the desired heating rate. The sample can be observed through a lens in front of the
apparatus.

Experiment 2: Sublimation and Melting Point Determination

Salicylic Acid Naphthalene

Weight of the impure 5.05 g 5.0 g

Weight of watch glass + sublimate 93.76 g 97.46 g

Weight of empty watch glass 93.30 g 93.30 g

Weight of the sublimate 0.46 g 4.16 g

Percentage recovery 9.11 % 83.2 %

158°C 80°C
Melting point
215°C 84°C
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 3

COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

1. Differentiate the following types of functional groups principal and subordinate groups.

2. Enumerate the different interactive forces involved during a solution process.

POST-LAB ASSIGNMENT

EXPERIMENT 3

COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

1. Based on the solubility properties observed, which organic compound/s studied:

a. is/are polar?

 ethanol, salicylic acid and ethyl acetate

b. is/are acidic?

 ethanol, salicylic acid and ethyl acetate

c. is/ are basic?

d. exhibit/s stronger interactive forces at room temperature?

 ethanol,

2. Which organic compound/s studied charred on ignition? Explain why this happened.
EXPERIMENT 3: Comparative Investigation of Organic Compounds

Test Compounds Cyclohexane Ethanol Salicylic Acid Ethyl Acetate

Condensed C6H12 C2H5OH C7H6O3 C4H802

Structural Formula

Physical state at RT liquid liquid solid liquid

Color colorless colorless white crystalline colorless

Odor with odor with odor with odor with odor

Solubility in:

H20 miscible miscible slightly soluble miscible

5% NaOH sol’n

5% HCl sol’n miscible miscible slightly soluble miscible

Reaction with litmus

paper

Ignition Test flammable flammable flammable

Observed principal IR
peaks (cm-1)