HYDROCARBONS

Abenoja, Joylan A.

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Visayas State University, Visca,
Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines 6521-A
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science

ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbons can be categorized as saturated aliphatic, unsaturated aliphatic,
aromatic and substituted aromatic. Different test were conducted to determine by how
they react with other substances. Defining the reaction mechanisms of the following
test provided a proof on the expected products and distinguishable properties. Several
findings or trends were found in the experiments. Toluene process more soot than
other chemicals since it is an aromatic compound and they have a ring stucture of
carbon. Toluene chemicals can damage to the leaves in plants and toxic in aquatic life,
and it was considered also hazardous waste. Potassium permanganate does not react
with saturated alkanes in the Baeyer's test. Acetylene gives a positive outcome while
cyclohexane gives a negative result.

INTRODUCTION

Hydrocarbons are the organic compound that is composed only of hydrogen and

carbon atoms. Industrially they are extremely significant. They are fuels obtained

directly from natural gas, petroleum, and coal sources, and they serve in the first line

of synthesis of a variety of organic materials and commercially important products

such as plastics, fibers, etc. They are highly flammable and produce carbon dioxide,

water, and heat when they are burned. They are two broad groups of hydrocarbons

namely aliphatic hydrocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon. Aliphatic hydrocarbons

comprise of a straight chain and cyclic organic compounds that does not contain an

alternating double bonds with delocalized electrons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons can be

saturated or unsaturated. Saturated hydrocarbon are called Alkanes which contains

maximum amount of hydrogen atoms a carbon-carbon skeleton can accommodate. Its

molecular formula can be determined by CnH2n-2 .

Unsaturated hydrocarbon, on the other hand, is classified as either Alkenes and

Alkynes. Alkene contains two double bonds and is generally expressed in the

molecular formula CnH2n . Alkynes contain triple bonds and is generally expressed in

the molecular formula CnH2n-2. Aromatic hydrocarbon are those compounds which

contains benzene ring a six carbon ring with alternating double bonds and delocalized

electrons. Aromatic compounds are inert in most cases except when hydrogen atoms

from benzene are substituted with halogens or alkyl groups.

METHODOLOGY

In this experiment, we examined several liquid hydrocarbon samples and subject each

compound to the tests. The first thing we did is we performed the part three indicated

in the laboratory guide which the reaction with cold dilute Permanganate. The first we

did is we placed 1 ml of dilute KMnO4 solution in a test tube. Afterwards, we add

five drops of the sample and shake slowly to fully mix the chemicals. We continued to

shake the sample for about 5 minutes then after we examined the tube contents. The

second thing we did is we performed the part 4 which is the reaction with

Ammoniacal Silver Nitrate Solution. We placed 10 drops of the silver reagent in a

clean, small test tube, and then afterwards we add 2 drops of hydrocarbon. Then after,

we mixed thoroughly the tube contents and we observed the reactions of two

chemicals. The next thing we introduced about 5 gm calcium carbide limps into a dry

250 ml distilling flask and we assembled the generation of the set up for the

generation of acetylene. Then after we add about 100 ml water to the dropping funnel

allowing the few drops to fall on the solid and wait for a couple of minutes for the air

to be displaced from the apparatus. Afterwards, we bubbled the gas through the

contents of the contents of the test tube for about a full minutes. Next is we placed the
test tube with chemicals inserted on the rubbing tubing and then we observed the

reactions. On the part 3 of the laboratory guide we were not able to conduct the

experiment since there's no available resources in the laboratory room. The last thing

we did is we performed the part 1 on the laboratory guide. We placed 3 drops of the

hydrocarbons in a porcelain crucible cover and bring the edge of the burner flame

with the aid of crucible cover tongs. Then afterwards we record all the observations

from the different chemicals used during the experiment.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Ignition test

After doing the ignition test we come up the results of three chemicals used in the

experiment. The figures shown below is the result based from the experiment. We

observed that Cyclohexane produces clear flame and has no soot during combustion

test. This is because cyclohexane is unsaturated carbon. The other chemical used was

benzene that produces less soot than the other chemicals since Benzene is aromatic

compound having relatively more carbon content. It does not completely oxidized

during combustion and gives out sooty flames. On the other hand, Toluene has a

yellow flame color and there is much flame produced than the other. It signifies that

Toluene have a relative high percentage of carbon content.

Figure 1: Result during the ignition test

Listed above are the structural formula and Balanced Chemical Equation of three

chemicals.

B. Reaction with Cold Dilute Permanganate

Table 1: Reaction of Cold Dilute Permanganate

SAMPLE OBSEVATION RESULTS

Cyclohexane No changes in color Negative

(Purple)

Benzene No Changes in color Negative

(Purple)

Toluene No Changes in color Negative

(Purple)

Acetylene No Changes in color Positive

(Dark Brown)

Cold Dilute Permanganate, also called Baeyer's reagent in other references The

Baeyer's test was employed in the experiment to check for double bonds or alkenes.

The purple solution didn't change color when cyclohexane and Baeyer's reaction were
combined. Due to their saturation, alkanes do not react with potassium permanganate.

The purple color remained unchanged when benzene and toluene were introduced

along with Baeyer's reagent. Aromatic rings are unsaturated, but they typically do not

react with powerful oxidizers like KMnO4. The purple hue gradually vanished when

brown MnO2 precipitates developed with the addition of Baeyer's reagent to

acetylene. A test resulted in a favorable response. Because it is not an aromatic ring,

the reaction was possible. Moreover, acetylene is unsaturated, hence the reaction of

KMnO4 was possible.

C.Reaction with Ammoniacal Silver Nitrate Solutions

Table 2. Result of AgNO3 Added to Cyclohexane

SAMPLES
Color and Clarity Physical
Precipitate
formation
Cyclohexane Colorless having Clear Liquid
formation of two
layers
Acetylene Precipitate formed Appeared Cloudy Liquid with Solid
Precipitate

Cyclohexane's solution become cloudy when ammoniacal AgNO3 was added. On the

other hand, when acytelyne and ammoniacal AgNO3 were introduced, white

precipitate collected at the bottom. Cyclohexane tested negative because it is not an

Alkyne, whereas acytelene tested positively because it is an Alkyne because the

reaction with ammoniacal only occurs in Alkynes. Release of the Alkyne's terminal
proton is required for the test so that the resultant Acetylide ion can precipitate Ag+ in

an insoluble form. Acetylene and AgNO3 in an ammoniacal solution react to generate

acetylide silver.

CONCLUSION

Despite the fact that all hydrocarbons include both carbon and hydrogen, their

characteristics vary. The most popular characteristic for identifying these

hydrocarbons is determined by how they react with other substances. In this

experiment, the reactions of ammoniacal silver nitrate, Baeyer's reagent, and

hydrocarbons are examined. From the results, toluene proces more soot than other

chemicals used since it is an aromatic compound and they have a ring stucture of

carbon. This causes incomplete combustion of the carbon chain.

Potassium permanganate does not react with saturated alkanes in the Baeyer's test, as

a result, when it is added to alkanes, the purple color does not change, yielding a

negative result. The purple hue gradually fades away, and a brown MnO2 precipitate

forms when it is combined with an alkene. A successful outcome is indicated by the

presence of brown precipitates. Last but not least, alkynes are the only ones that can

react with ammoniacal silver nitrate. As a result, acetylene gave a positive outcome

while cyclohexane gave a negative result.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to my groupmates who collaborates to do the

experiment, gathered data, and borrowing materials, to all my Blockmates who

always there to answer all my questions. And of course, I also aknowledge and give

my warmest thanks to our own Laboratory Instructor, Mr. John Louise Cabal who

always there to facilitate us in doing the experiment. I'm lucky to have all of you

because without you I can’t made it possible. Finally, I would like to thank God,

for letting me through all the struggles in doing this report. I have experience your

guidance day by day. Your are the one who let me finish my report. I will keep on

trusting of you for my future.

REFERENCES

 Matthew, 2011, Properties of Hydrocarbons, Austin, Mendel set, viewed 17

October 2016

 Baranda, M. (n.d.). Hydrocarbons, Experiment 8.

https://www.coursehero.com/file/17571756/Hyrocarbons/

 Klein, D. (20120. Organic Chemistry. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 BYJUS,2021, Hydrocarbons
https://byjus.com/jee/hydrocarbons/