Organic Chemistry Lab.

General science
3rd
Exp.(1)
Laboratory preparation of acetylene gas
from calcium carbide
Chemicals:
-calcium carbide (grain size: 20 – 40 mm)
-deionized water
Introduction
Acetylene is the chemical compound, with the formula
C2H2. It is a hydrocarbon and the simplest alkyne.[This
colorless gas is widely used as a fuel and a chemical building
block. It is unstable in pure form and thus is usually handled
as a solution. Pure acetylene is odorless, but commercial
grades usually have a marked odor due to impurities

Safety:
Ethyne is extremely flammable and forms explosive mixtures
with air (“detonating gas”). Because the gas is poisonous
particularly with regard to contaminants it is necessary to
work in a fume hood. It is also required to wear safety
glasses
Physical Properties
 Nonpolar, insoluble in water.
 Soluble in most organic solvents.
 Boiling points are similar to alkane of same size.
 Less dense than water.
 Up to four carbons, gas at room temperature.

Application and use of Acetylene

1- Acetylene is used in welding torches.
2- In pure oxygen, temperature of flame reaches 2800C.
3- Cutting , flame heating, gas welding. The only fuel gas
which can be used to weld steel flame hardening.
Preparation of CaC2
Calcium carbide can be prepared by heating calcium oxide (lime)
with coke.
This heating process, called “roasting,” produces the calcium
carbide (CaC2). It is done in large ovens by way of the following
chemical reaction:
CaO(s) + 3 C (s)  CaC2 (s) + CO(g)
a) Formation of Acetylene Gas
Calcium carbide, CaC2, reacts with water to form acetylene gas,
C 2 H2 .
CaC2 (s) + 2H2O(l)  C2H2 (g) + Ca(OH)2(s)

Combustion of Acetylene
2C2H2 (g) + 5O2 (g)  4CO2 (g) + 2H2O(l)
b) partial oxidation of methane
4 CH4 + O2 , 1500o  2 CO + 10 H2 + 2H2C2 (acetylene)
Procedure:
1. Place about 2 gm of calcium carbide in a dry distilling flask,
and fit in to the neck of the flask a dropping funnel, then
connect the side arm of the flask to a delivery-tube.
2. Fill the dropping funnel with water.
3. Let the water to fall drop by drop on the calcium carbide to
generate the gas.
4. Collect the acetylene gas in three test tubes.
Observation:
Carry out the following tests on the collected gas and record your
observations.
A) Addition of bromine
Br Br
Br2 /CCl4 or
H C C H + Br2 H C C H
Br2 /H2O
Br Br

b. Addition of alkaline potassium permanganate solution

O
O
HH

HC
CHK
+m
n
O4 H
CCH+M
nO
2
Br
o
wnp
p
t
.
OH
OH

.
d. Ignite the gas.
Combustion of Acetylene

C2H2 (g) + O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + H2O(l)