Experiment 1

Qualitative Tests for Elements in Organic Compounds

I. Introduction:

In early years, organic compounds are believed to be procured from living organisms only. However, the modern
understanding of organic compounds is a bit different to this belief. An organic compound is a compound whose molecules
contain carbon and hydrogen. On the other hand, qualitative test is a kind of test where you measure or know if there is a
presence or absence of a substance and to know what element or compound that is present in the solution. In this
experiment we test if there is a presence of a certain element.

II. Objectives:

To identify, by chemical tests, the elements present in organic compound.

III. Results/Discussion:

Elements Tested Reagents Added Observation Interpretation (+/-)

1. Carbon (cloudy/white ppt.) Cupric oxide, test The water became cloudy or
compound, Calcium there is a formation of white
hydroxide precipitate positive

2. Hydrogen (water droplets) Calcium hydroxide There is a formation of water

Cupric oxide, test droplets in the other tube
compound, positive

3. Oxygen (red solution) Ferrox paper, organic The color of the solution positive
compound, became red
chloroform,

4. Nitrogen (Prussian blue ppt.) Ferrous sulfate, filtrate There is a formation of blue positive
(sodium metal percipitate
covered with powder,
water), NaOH, H2SO4,
FeCl3

5. Sulfur (black ppt.) Filtrate (sodium metal After heating the black color positive
covered with powder, precipitate
water), acetic acid,
lead acetate solution

6. Halogens (white ppt.)
Filtrate (sodium metal When the silver nitrate was positive
covered with powder, added the solution forms a
water) solution, nitric white precipitate
acid, silver nitrate
solution
 7. Phosphorus (yellow sol’n/ ppt.) Filtrate (sodium metal The yellow precipitate can be positive
covered with powder, seen after adding the nitric
water) solution, nitric acid.
acid, ammonium
molybdate solution

Questions:

1. Why is it necessary to remove the delivery tube from the limewater before removing the
burner in the test for carbon? Explain.
It is necessary to remove the delivery tube from the limewater before removing the burner in the test
for carbon in order for the limewater not to transfer to the other test tube where the delivery tube is also
connected and being heated by the burner. If the heated tube is removed from the burner the gas inside the tube
will contract as a response to make itself keep up with the temperature of the surroundings which is cooler, so as
it contracts the limewater is absorbed to the heated tube to maintain its equilibrium state.

2. What is the purpose of fusing organic compound with sodium metal?

The purpose of fusing organic compound with sodium metal is to detect the halogens that are present.
The elements of organic compounds are covalently bonded, so in order to determine the halogens or the
element it should be transfer into its ionic form. Also, sodium metal is used because it is not too reactive.

IV. Conclusion:

In conclusion, the tests that are conducted are able to produce a positive result or the elements needed to be
found in the organic compound is seen through the results of the experiment and all are identified base on the colors
that they produce.

References:

https://vlab.amrita.edu/index.php?sub=2&brch=191&sim=344&cnt=1

https://issuu.com/wgsb_anderson/docs/c1-7