TESTS FOR FORMALDEHYDE TESTS FOR

ACETONE
ACTIVITY 5
ACETONE
A Post-Laboratory Discussion
Objectives
At the end of this activity, the students are
expected to:
1. Perform experiments on the detection of
ACETONE
2. Explain the safety measures to consider in
performing the experiment
3. Perform the safety measures in handling
acetone.
4. Interpret the results obtained from the test/s.
 TEST/S FOR
DETECTION OF
ACETONE
01
Lieben’s iodoform test
POSITIVE RESULT: YELLOW
OBSERVATION:

When added with iodoform, it

instantly separated and yielded a
yellow solution/precipitate
02
Legal’s test
POSITIVE RESULT: CARMINE TO
PURPLISH RED COLOR
OBSERVATION:

The strength of the color depicts

how much acetone is present.
Upon adding excess acetic acid
solution, the solution turned pale
red.
Question no. 1:
What are the long term health effects of
exposure to acetone?
While the long-term health effects from acetone
exposure in humans is still under investigation,
studies suggest potential risks. Chronic exposure
may cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and nervous
system, based primarily on observations in animal
studies. Additionally, some data suggests possible
links to birth defects and male infertility, though
further research is needed to confirm these
connections in humans. It's crucial to minimize
exposure to acetone by following safety guidelines
and using appropriate personal protective
equipment whenever necessary.
Question no. 2:
Will acetone act synergistically with other
material?
In toxicology, synergism is when two or more
substances interact and their combined effect
outweighs their individual effects. Acetone can
enhance the effects or qualities of other materials by
working in combination with them. For instance,
acetone is used as an organic solvent for
polyethylene oxide (PEO) which is added to
hemostatic products to enhance the effectiveness of
other active substances. Hence, acetone can act
synergistically with other materials.
Question no. 3:
What is Reynold’s test? Discuss the procedure
and positive result
1. Add mercuric chloride solution to the distillate and an
alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution.
2. Shake thoroughly and filter.
3. Add ammonium sulphide solution to the clear filtrate as
an upper layer.

Use a double filter for filtering the excess of mercuric oxide

and continue pouring the filtrate through the paper until it is
perfectly clear.
Acetone will dissolve freshly precipitated mercuric oxide and
this test is based upon this property.

POSITIVE RESULT: If acetone is present, there will be a black

zone (HgS) where the two solutions meet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, acetone, often referred to as
propanone, is thought to be the most basic and
smallest ketone. Its formula is (CH3)2CO, making it
an organic chemical. Acetone is utilized in medicine
as an antibacterial and to change the density of pills
and liquid medications. When using acetone, one
needs to wear the appropriate safety gear, keep their
hands away from the substance, and wash any
contaminated areas well. While Legal's test verifies
whether a certain substance contains acetone,
Lieben's iodoform test aims to determine whether
methyl ketones are present in a solution.
ACTIVITY 6
FORMALDEHYDE
A Post-Laboratory Discussion
Objectives
At the end of this activity, the students are
expected to:
1. Perform experiments on the detection of
FORMALDEHYDE
2. Explain the safety measures to consider in
performing the experiment
3. Perform the safety measures in handling
formaldehyde.
4. Interpret the results obtained from the test/s.
 TEST/S FOR
DETECTION OF
FORMALDEHYDE
01
Silver Nitrate Test
POSITIVE RESULT: METALLIC SILVER

After addition of silver

nitrate solution, it had a
gradual deposition of
metallic silver.
02
Fehling’s Test
POSITIVE RESULT: RED

The Fehling’s solution

was decolorized upon
application of heat and
turned red.
 03
Nessler’s Test
POSITIVE RESULT: GRAY PRECIPITATE

NOTE: If however, a small quantity of very dilute

formaldehyde solution is added to Nessler’s
reagent, a brownish color first appears and then
quickly gives place to a gray turbidity.
04
Schiff’s Test
POSITIVE RESULT: PURPLE OR
MAGENTA COLOR
The development of a
purple or magenta colour
upon the addition of a few
drops of the analyte to the
decolourized Schiff’s
reagent confirmed the
presence of
formaldehyde
05
Resorcinol Test
POSITIVE RESULT: RED
It produced a distinct red color
despite the formaldehyde or
the analyte was not in its pure
concentration
Question no. 1:
List down the health effects of formaldehyde

The health effects of formaldehyde exposure

include irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat,
and at high levels, it may cause cancer, particularly
nasal cancer in rats and humans. Some people may
experience short-term effects such as headache,
runny nose, nausea, and difficulty breathing. At low
levels, breathing in formaldehyde can cause eye,
nose and throat irritation. At higher levels,
formaldehyde exposure can cause skin rashes,
shortness of breath, wheezing and changes in lung
function.
Question no. 2:
Aside from the gas phase inhalation, what are the other routes of
exposure to formaldehyde?

Ingestion
Ingestion (eating or drinking) is not considered a common route of
significant exposure to formaldehyde. Nevertheless, there have been
reported cases of accidental formaldehyde ingestion. Swallowing liquids
containing 10 to 40 percent formaldehyde results in severe irritation of the
mouth, throat and stomach. Severe stomach pains will follow ingestion with
possible loss of consciousness and death.

Skin Absorption
Skin absorption is one of the major routes of exposure to formaldehyde.
Skin contact with formaldehyde can result in reactions ranging from mild
irritation to severe allergic dermatitis. Concentrated solutions of
formaldehyde will cause the skin to discolor, crack, dry and scale. Prolonged
or repeated contact will cause numbness and hardening or tanning of the
skin.
Question no. 2:
Aside from the gas phase inhalation, what are the other routes of
exposure to formaldehyde?

Eye Contact
Eye contact results from spills or splashes of formaldehyde.
Eye contact reactions range from mild irritation to
permanent corneal cloudiness and loss of vision. The
severity of injury is determined by the concentration of the
solution and the length of contact. Eye irritation is a
common complaint of people exposed to formaldehyde
vapor. As the concentration of formaldehyde increases, the
eyes become itchy and tear till they afford themselves
some degree of natural protection by closing.
Question no. 3:
Discuss the other laboratory test for detection of
formaldehyde including positive result.
APOMORPHINE TEST
Opium alkaloids, particularly morphine and apomorphine, have been
used considerably in the identification of formaldehyde. In the
presence of strong acid, the reaction is that of a phenol with an
aldehyde is producing a color.
PHLOROGLUCINOL TEST
This is a very delicate test for formaldehyde.
(a) Procedure in Acid Solution—Gradually heat to boiling the solution
to be tested for formaldehyde with a mixture consisting of equal
volumes of hydrochloric acid (sp. gr. 1.19 = 37.5 per cent.) and water
and sprinkle upon it a little phloroglucinol. After all the phloroglucinol
is dissolved, if formaldehyde is present, turbidity and separation of
yellow-red flocks appear.
(b) Procedure in Alkaline Solution.—This test may also be carried out
in alkaline solution. Mix 2 cc of a 0.1 percent phloroglucinol solution
with 1 cc. of potassium hydroxide solution and add the liquid to be
tested for formaldehyde. The appearance of a distinct red color shows
presence of formaldehyde.
Question no. 3:
Discuss the other laboratory test for detection of
formaldehyde including positive result.
RIMINI’S PHENYLHYDRALAZINE TEST
Add 1 cc. of a dilute aqueous solution of phenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride
together with a few drops of a freshly prepared solution of sodium
nitroprusside, and finally a few drops of concentrated sodium hydroxide
solution to 10-15cc. Of a very dilute formaldehyde solution. A blue color will
appear and later pass into red. This blue color can be recognized in milk
even in presence of 1/30,000 part of formaldehyde.

HEXANEMETHYLENE TETRA AMINE TEST

With mercuric chloride and potassium mercuric iodide it gives
characteristic crystalline precipitates. Add ammonia repeatedly and
evaporate to dryness in a porcelain dish upon the water-bath the liquid to
be tested for formaldehyde, for example, the distillate
obtained from any kind of material. If more than traces of form- aldehyde
are present, the residue will contain the characteristic crystals of
hexamethylene-tetramine. They may be recognized by dissolving them in
4-5 drops of water, placing a drop of the solution upon a glass slide, and
examining under the microscope.
Conclusion
Formaldehyde demonstrates the potent aldehyde
reducing effect, particularly on different metallic
oxides. When ammonia is added, it causes the slow
deposition of metallic silver from the silver nitrate
solution. When heat is applied, it causes the
separation of red cuprous oxide from an alkaline
copper tartrate solution, which is Fehling's solution.
Nessler's reagent used with formaldehyde also
results in a gray precipitate of metallic mercury. On
the other hand, if a tiny amount of extremely diluted
formaldehyde solution is put to Nessler's reagent, it
initially appears brownish and soon turns gray. Using
Nessler's reagent, acetaldehyde produces a brown to
gray-brown precipitate.