ALPHA

Journal in Organic Chemistry

Volume 3, Issue No. 7

Functionality Group Identification of Unknown Organic Compounds

Tiongson, Stephanie Claire M.1

Rejano, Sander Clyde
Cruz, Kathlia D.2

ABSTRACT
The identification of unknown organic compounds does not end up upon knowing its solubility class. Hence, a more thorough
investigation of the compound is needed in order to determine its identity. Group classification test separated one functional
group among the others. Functional groups are separated according to it branching, aromaticity and saturation. In this
experiment, 26 unknown compounds are classified using different classification tests. The objective of this experiment is to
apply appropriate classification tests from the obtained solubility class of the unknown samples. In the first part of this
experiment the solubility classes of the unknown samples were determined. After the identification of the solubility classes the
appropriate group classification tests were applied. The group classification tests narrow down the choices for the identity of
the compound under investigation. The functionality and structural tests for the unknown compounds are used to determine the
identity of the samples.

Keywords: functional group, solubility class

INTRODUCTION

The identification of unknown organic compounds does not end up

upon knowing its solubility class. Hence, a more thorough
investigation of the compound is needed in order to determine its
identity. Series of tests are required to end up with one specific
classification of the compound. Upon doing solubility class
analysis, a group classification test can be done.

Group classification test separated one functional group among the

others. Functional groups are separated according to it branching,
aromaticity and saturation. Successful classification of the
unknown organic compounds can be used to specifically identify
the species under investigation. Presented in Table 1 is the
summary of the tests used in the identification of the unknown
organic compounds.

1. CM134L-Student, School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering and Sciences, Mapua University (stiongson81@gmail.com)
2. CM134L-Professor, School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering and Sciences, Mapua University (kadecastro@mapua.edu.ph)
 The results of this experiment are shown in Table 2.

Unknown # Solubility Class Functional Group

2 Sn Primary R-OH
3 Sn Secondary R-OH
4 Sn Tertiary R-OH
5 X Primary R-X
6 X Secondary R-X
7 X Tertiary R-X
8 X Alkane
9 X Alkene
10 N Benzene
11 N Aromatic ketone
12 Sa Ketone
13 X Carboxylic acid
14 Sa Carboxylic acid
15 Sa Anhydride
16 Sb Aliphatic amine
20 Sb Aniline
21 Sb Tertiary amine
22 Sb Nitro aniline
23 Sn Ester
24 Sn Ester
25 Sn Amide
26 N Aldehyde

Table 1. Summary of Classification tests 27 Sn Aldehyde

28 S amino acid
In this experiment, 26 unknown compounds are classified using 29 S Carbohydrate
different classification tests. The objective of this experiment is to Table 2. Results
apply appropriate classification tests from the obtained solubility
class of the unknown samples. The presented resulted are the corrected results obtained in the
experiment. Certain errors were encountered in doing the
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION experiment specifically in the identification of the solubility classes
which is a vital step in selecting which classification test will be
The apparatus needed in this experiment are test tubes, droppers, used to identify the unknown samples.
funnel, beaker and hot plate.
An organic compound can undergo several group classification
In the first part of this experiment the solubility classes of the tests to determine its identity. The group classification tests narrow
unknown samples were determined following the scheme in Figure down the choices for the identity of the compound under
1. After the identification of the solubility classes the appropriate investigation. Combining all the qualitative tests for the compounds
group classification tests were applied. The detailed group successful identification of the species can be determined.
classification procedure can be viewed in
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aoLRTAGxuN5YVKC6r4GUS In doing this experiment, errors must be avoided because it can
QS4YACE5CiW lead to incorrect process since this experiment combines all the
other qualitative test that dictates what procedure will be done to
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION correctly identify the compound. In conducting the solubility test, a

Experiment 7│ Group No. 3│ January 11, 2020 2 of 4

thorough observation is needed to provide the proper solubility
class that will determine the classification test that will be done.

Obtaining the correct results in this experiment depends on the

classification tests made. It is important that not only a single test
is used for one sample. Series of tests should be done to make
sure that the obtained results are correct.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The functionality and structural tests for the unknown compounds

are used to determine the identity of the samples. However, there
are significant errors that lead to incorrect identification of the
species under investigation.

These errors can be avoided if the correct solubility class of the

sample is determined. Thorough observation and using series of
tests appropriate for each class is a key in determining the identity
of the unknown compounds. It is recommended that the amount of
sample used for the solubility class identification is varied to
classify it correctly. Also, proper handling of chemicals is necessary
since some of these are extremely toxic.

REFERENCES

1. Lancashire, R. J. (n.d.). Qualitative Analysis for Organic

Compounds. Retrieved from
http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm/lab_manuals/c10expt25.html

2. Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds. (n.d.). Retrieved

from
http://academics.wellesley.edu/Chemistry/chem211lab/Orgo_Lab
_Manual/Appendix/ClassificationTests/index.html.

Experiment 7│ Group No. 3│ January 11, 2020 3 of 4

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Figure 1. Solubility class scheme

Experiment 7│ Group No. 3│ January 11, 2020 4 of 4