AGSALDA, EJ R.

BS BIO-1
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Activity 4

Hydrocarbons

I. Introduction:
The simplest organic compounds contain only the elements carbon and hydrogen,
and are called hydrocarbons. Even though they are composed of only two types of
atoms, there is a wide variety of hydrocarbons because they may consist of varying
lengths of chains, branched chains, and rings of carbon atoms, or combinations of
these structures. In addition, hydrocarbons may differ in the types of carbon-carbon
bonds present in their molecules. Many hydrocarbons are found in plants, animals,
and their fossils; other hydrocarbons have been prepared in the laboratory. We use
hydrocarbons every day, mainly as fuels, such as natural gas, acetylene, propane,
butane, and the principal components of gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. The
familiar plastics polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are also hydrocarbons.
We can distinguish several types of hydrocarbons by differences in the bonding
between carbon atoms. This leads to differences in geometries and in the hybridization
of the carbon orbitals.

II. Objective:
At the end of the activity, you should be able to:
1. Determine the properties of Hydrocarbons;
2. Prepare ethene; and
3. Prepare acetylene and study its properties.

III. Data Gathering and Observation (***please refer your answer to the video at least 5
Hydrocarbons)
Hydrocarbons Solubility Test Combustion Test Reaction with
Bromine
Cyclohexane Immiscible which Highly flammable Red orange color
(alkane means incapable because it has more on top and light
compound) of mixing or Carbon atoms than yellow color on
attaining Cyclohexene and the bottom.
homogeneity. In- also It can react with
Soluble in water very strong acids
such as the super
acid system
Cyclohexene Insoluble in water Also Highly There’s a change
(alkene and less dense flammable liquid. It is in color and two
compound) than water. ignited by heat,
 sparks or flames and layers have
its vapors may form formed.
explosive mixtures
with air.
Methyl benzene In soluble in Flammable liquid Red color on top
Water. Because with black sooths and and yellow color
Benzene is it reacts violently with on the bottom.
nonpolar and oxidants and
water is highly halogens, causing a
polar. fire hazard.
Ethene or In soluble in water Flammable liquid and The color of the
Ethylene because they are its gas is highly bromine
non-polar and flammable and disappears
water is polar. explosive. Yellow fire
and reactive black
smoke.
Ethyne or Slightly soluble in Easily ignited and The color of the
Acetylene water. burns with a sooty bromine also
flame. Gas is lighter disappears
than air. Flame may
flash back to the
source of a leak very
easily.

IV. Enrichment Questions

1. What is the importance of knowing the solubility, reactivity and combustibility of
hydrocarbons? Give examples.

It is important to have enough knowledge about the properties of

Hydrocarbons so that people will be aware of their behavior, uses, and its effects
on people. For example, examining the combustibility of a certain compound would
let us know if the compound is highly flammable or not. This gives us knowledge
in order to prevent some possible risk when we encounter that certain compound.
In addition, examining the solubility of Hydrocarbons would let us know the
compatibility of hydrocarbons in some substances that may affect or influence their
physical structures when put in external factors such as water. But we all know
that all Hydrocarbons are non-polar and Water is a polar solvent so we can
conclude that hydrocarbons are in-soluble with water.

2. What is the relationship of the character of the flame of burning hydrocarbons to

the percentage (amount/atoms) of carbon in the compound?

First of all, Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of both hydrogen and

carbon. They are most famous for being the primary constituent of fossil fuels,
 namely natural gas, petroleum, and coal. For this reason, fossil fuel resources are
often referred to as hydrocarbon resources.

We all know that CO2 is always produced in hydrocarbon combustion; it

doesn't matter what type of hydrocarbon molecule are there. Since different
hydrocarbons have different ratios of hydrogen to carbon, they produce different
ratios of water to carbon dioxide. In general, the longer and more complex the
molecule, the greater the ratio of carbon to hydrogen. For this reason, combustion
of equal amounts of different hydrocarbons will yield different quantities of carbon
dioxide, depending on the ratio of carbon to hydrogen in molecules of each.

V. Generalization

By watching the uploaded videos in the lms. I may say that truly there’s a great
source of hydrocarbons that are reactive to other compounds like the bromine. I also
learned that it is important to tests the different properties of Hydrocarbons in order for
to have knowledge on a certain hydrocarbon. For example, the combustion test. It is
important to know if the compound is highly reactive to fire in order for us to avoid the
possible risk when were in contact on that type of compounds in some laboratory
procedure or even on factories (chemical facilities). I also learned that hydrocarbons
can be found in fossil fuels, natural gas or coal deposits and they are highly
combustible and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat when they are burned.
Therefore I must say that hydrocarbons are very important as a source of fuel needed
for the production of electricity and it is plays a vital role in our daily transportation
system.

References:

Introduction to Organic chemistry. Press books. 2020.

URL: https://opentextbc.ca/chemistry/chapter/20-1-hydrocarbons/