EXPERIMENT 4 (Organic Chemistry II)

Pahlavan/Cherif

Properties of Alcohols: Structure, Reactions and Identification of Alcohols

Purpose
a) Examine molecular models and observe some physical and chemical properties of selected alcohols. b) Relate the observed properties to the molecular structure. Identify an unknown alcohol. c) To learn some common properties of alcohols d) To distinguish phenols from the three types of alcohols by chemical tests. Chemicals Materials

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) small test tubes (8 to 10) Isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol) stirring rod t-butyl alcohol (2-methyl-2-propanol) hot plate cyclohexanol beakers (50, 400 mL) 1-propanol (n-propanol) test tube holder 1-butanol test tube rack 2-butanol unknown alcohols acetic anhydride glacial acetic acid conc. H2SO4 dilute NaOH Lucas reagent (ZnCl2 in concentrated HCl) Chromic acid reagent - 2% K2Cr2O7 in H2SO4 (oxidant) Sodium metal Phenolphthalein indicator

Introduction
Alcohols are organic compounds containing an -OH functional group bonded to a carbon atom. There are three classes (types) of alcohols: primary, secondary, and tertiary as shown below. Primary alcohol: RCH2OH the R, an alkyl group, and the OH are attached to a primary carbon atom, a carbon bonded to one other carbon atom (highlighted).

OH C H H

OH C H H

primary carbon

H3C

Example: 1

Secondary alcohol: R2CHOH, the 2 R alkyl groups, and the -OH are attached to a secondary carbon atom, a carbon attached to two other carbon atoms from the 2 R (CH3-),

OH C H

secondary carbon

OH C R H
Example:

H3C H3C

Tertiary alcohol: R3COH the 3 R alkyl groups, and the OH are attached to a tertiary carbon atom (highlighted), a carbon attached to three other carbon atoms from the 3 R (CH3-)

OH C CH3

tertiary carbon

OH C R R
Example:

H3C H3C

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) method of nomenclature for alcohols use the ending ol. Change the e ending of an alkane to ol (i.e methane to methanol ethane to ethanol). R = represents any alkyl group

Physical Properties
Molecular State- Straight-chain alcohols with up to 12 carbon atoms are liquids. Solubility- Alcohols with a small organic part such as methanol or ethanol are much like water , thus miscible with water. Alcohols with a larger organic radical are more like alkanes and less like water. Alcohols with more than two OH groups are more water soluble than similar alcohols with only one OH group. In general each OH group can solubilize four to five carbons Melting (Fusion), Boiling points and Density- Straight-chain alcohols that have up to 12 carbons have boiling points that are considerably higher than the related alkanes, Alcohols with two or more OH groups have higher boiling points. Because the structural similarities between alcohols and water, their physical properties are also similar. Hydrogen bonding has a great influence on the physical properties of alcohols. Alcohols with short carbon chains are quite soluble in water. Their solubility is due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding with water molecules, as shown in Figure 1(b). However, the water solubility of 2

alcohols begins to decrease as the length of the carbon chain increases. As the number of carbon atoms increases, the non-polarity of the larger hydrocarbon chain offsets the polarity of the OH group. Alcohols with longer carbon chains are insoluble. Because they are less dense than water, insoluble alcohols will form a layer on top of the water surface.
R

+
H

O H +

+
H

O H

+
H

O
R

(b)

(a) Figure 1- Hydrogen bonding between (a) alcohol molecules, and (b) alcohol and water molecules Also, considering their molecular masses as compared to alkanes, alcohols have relatively high boiling points. Individual alcohol molecules are attracted to each other by hydrogen bonds. A higher temperature is necessary for these molecules to have sufficient energy to overcome these attractions. When enough energy breaks the hydrogen bonds, the alcohol converts from a liquid alcohol to a gaseous alcohol. Viscosity refers to the resistance to flow. As the degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding increases, the more viscous the liquid becomes. We commonly call viscous liquids thick. Many alcohols have characteristic odors that are readily detected. Particle size and hydrogen bonding both influence the ability of particles to escape from the liquid surface into the air. Greater size and greater intermolecular forces decrease the potential for alcohols to escape the liquid surface. Main Uses- Some of the most common uses we have for alcohols are in medical clinics or at home for disinfecting things. Ethyl alcohol is classified for medical purposes as a central nervous system depressant this is the alcohol that people like to drink, and it is obtained by the fermentation of fruits. An other use that isnt as popular is to synthesize other substances in laboratories.

Chemical Properties of Alcohols: Alcohols are neutral compounds; the hydroxyl group does not ionize. However, the alcohol functional group is chemically reactive in other ways. Alcohols can be dehydrated. Depending upon the reaction conditions, loss of a water molecule forms either an ether or an alkene. Oxidation of alcohols by strong oxidants such as K2Cr2O7 in H2SO4 is possible, but differs depending on the degree of alcohol. Examples a, b, and c below show how a primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohol respectively respond to treatment of oxidants. If a reaction has occurred using K2Cr2O7 in H2SO4, there is a color change from orange to green.
+6

O C R H

RCH2 OH primary a) alcohol

K2Cr2O7 orange

Cr+3 green/blue

aldehyde

O C H R OH
O

Further oxidation of
R

carboxylic acid

CH3CH2OH a primary alcohol

Cr +6 orange

Cr+3 green/blue

C H3C H

an aldehyde further oxidation

O C H3C OH

a carboxylic acid

b)
+6

O C R R

R2CHOH secondary alcohol

K2Cr2O7 orange

Cr+3 green/blue
O

ketone

Cr +6 orange

Cr+3 green/blue

C H3C CH3

a secondary alcohol

a ketone

NO further oxidation

c) Tertiary alcohol:

R3COH + K2Cr2O7 NO OXIDATION

Cr +6 orange

No reaction (still orange)

a tertiary alcohol

In this experiment, an acidic sodium dichromate solution, which is orange in color and contains Cr6+, will be used to oxidize alcohols. As the alcohol is oxidized, the Cr6+ is reduced to Cr3+, which turns the solution a blue-to-green color. The appearance of this blue-to-green color within one minute is considered a positive test for a primary or a secondary alcohol.

Lucas Test: This test is for low molecular weight alcohols and it distinguishes the rates of reaction of alcohols with the Lucas reagent (HCl and ZnCl2). Positive indicator of the reaction is the formation of a water insoluble alkyl chloride as cloudiness or a precipitate. The formation of an alkyl chloride with tertiary alcohol is very rapid, followed by the secondary alcohol that may take from 5 to 20 minutes to form visible cloudiness. Primary alcohols do not react with Lucas reagent or it may show very little result in a very long time. The chemical reaction involves replacing the OH group of the alcohol with a chloride ion from hydrochloric acid (HCl), forming an alkyl chloride, as shown in the following equation.
R
OH

Cl

ZnCl2
R

Cl + H2O

alky chloride insoluble

3o alcohol: R3COH + HCl (ZnCl2) R3Cl (alkyl chloride) + H2O Very Fast (insoluble/cloudiness)
CH3 H3C C OH CH3

ZnCl2 + HCl

CH3 H3C C Cl CH3

+ H 2O

3o alcohol

alkyl chloride (insoluble-cloudiness)

2o alcohol: R2CHOH + HCl (ZnCl2) R2CHCl (alkyl; chloride) + H2O Slow (insoluble/cloudiness)
CH3 H3C C OH H

ZnCl2 + HCl

CH3 H3C C Cl H

+ H 2O

slow

2 alcohol

alkyl chloride (insoluble-cloudiness)

1o alcohol: RCH2OH + HCl (ZnCl2) No reaction/very very slow

ZnCl2 + HCl

no reaction (no cloudiness)

1o alcohol

Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) is a catalyst for this reaction, which is called the Lucas test. The resultant alkyl chloride is insoluble in water and separates from the Lucas reagent (ZnCl2 in concentrated HCl), forming a cloudy mixture. Alcohols react at different rates, depending upon their structure. Tertiary alcohols form a cloudy mixture within 30 seconds at room temperature. Secondary alcohols react within 13 minutes, usually with slight heating. Primary alcohols require more than an hour to react.

Esterification :Esters are derivatives of organic acids. They can be prepared by the reaction of alcohols with carboxylic acids in the presence of a catalytic amount of mineral acid. Esters usually have pleasant, fruitlike odors and are responsible for flavors and fragrances of many fruits and flowers.

Note: Record all your observations on your Data and Observations sheet. Dispose of your reaction mixtures according to your laboratory instructors directions.

Safety Note
Caution: Wear departmentally approved safety goggles when doing this experiment. All
chemicals are potentially harmful. Prevent contact with your eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid ingesting any of the reagents. If you spill any reagents, immediately notify your laboratory instructor. All the alcohols used are toxic, except glycerol. All the alcohols are flammable, except glycerol and ethylene glycol. Do not perform the experiment near an open flame. Chromic acid reagent is toxic, corrosive, oxidant, and contains a suspected carcinogen. Acetone is flammable and irritating. Do not use acetone near an open flame. Lucas reagent (ZnCl2 in concentrated HCl) is toxic and corrosive.

PROCEDURE
Part I Reaction with sodium Under the hood place a small piece of sodium metal in to a 50 mL beaker of half filled with water. Observe the reaction and after completion of the reaction, add 1 or 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the solution in the beaker. Write a balance equation for the reaction of sodium and water. Repeat the reaction of 2.0 mL alcohol with small piece of sodium metal in a large dry test tube. Note the reactivity of sodium metal with alcohol in compare (less or more reactive) to water. Test the resulting solution with phenolphthalein. Write the balance equations for reactions of sodium with ethanol and 1-butanol, phenol, and unknown. Part II Solubility in water Place 2.0 mL of water in a small test tube, dropwise add ethanol and shake the mixture. Count the number of drops until the alcohol is no longer soluble in water, but do not use more than 10 drops. Repeat the same procedure using 2-propanol, 1-butanol, cyclohexanol, phenol, and unknown. Record your results as very soluble (for 6-10 drops), soluble (for 2-5 drops), and insoluble (1 drop).

Part III. Lucas Test In a small test tube place 2.0 mL Lucas reagent, and add 4-5 drops of alcohol, shake the mixture well and observe the time required for the mixture to become cloudy or to form two different phases (layers). Try this test with 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol (t-butyl alcohol), phenol, and unknown. Based on your results of the Lucas test, determine the type of your unknown alcohols (1o, 2o, or 3o)

Part IV. Jones Reagent (Chromic acid test) In a small test tube, place about 1.0 mL acetone, 1.0 mL alcohol, and 2 3 drops of the Jones reagent. Observer the color change, clear, orange (formation of Cr +6 as CrO3), or blue-green (formation of Cr 3+ ). Try this test with 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, phenol, and unknown. Based on your results of the Chromic acid test determine the type of your unknown alcohol (1o, 2o, or 3o). Part V. Esterification a) In a small test tube, mix ethanol (4-5 drops) and acetic acid (4-5 drops). Add one drop of concentrated sulfuric acid, warm the mixture in a hot water bath for about 5 minutes and then add 2.0 mL of cold water. Note the odor and write a complete equation for the reaction of ethanol and acetic acid. b) In a small test tube, mix 1-butanol (4-5 drops) and acetic anhydride (4-5 drops). Stir well, and warm the solution in hot water bath. Add 2.0 mL of cold water and make mixture slightly basic by adding 4-5 drops dilute NaOH. Note the odor and write a complete equation for the reaction of 1-butanol and acetic anhydride.

EXPERIMENT 4 (Organic Chemistry II) Properties of Alcohols

Part II Solubility in water

Alcohol Ethanol 2- propanol 1- Butanol Cyclohexanol Phenol Unknown # ______

Observation

Part III. Lucas Test Alcohol 1-butanol 2-butanol t-butyl alcohol 2-methyl-2-propanol Phenol Unknown # _____ Observation

Jones Reagent (Oxidation Using Chromic Acid)

Alcohol 1-butanol 2-butanol t-butyl alcohol (2-methyl-2-propanol) Phenol Unknown # _____ Esterification Ester Formation a) Ethanol + acetic acid

Observation

Odor __________

Reaction: ____________________________________________________________

b) 1-Butanol + acetic anhydride

Odor __________

Reaction: _____________________________________________________________ UNKNOWN IDENTIFICATIONS (1o, 2o, or 3o) Unknown Number ______ Identification _______ 9

Pre-Laboratory QuestionsEXP 4 Properties of Alcohols

Name:

1. What are the specific hazards associated with the alcohols used in this experiment? What are the specific hazards associated with the chromic acid reagent?

2. Consider the alcohol hexyl alcohol (1-hexanol), C6H14O. Draw both a structural formula and a condensed structural formula for 1-hexanol. Identify 1-hexanol as a primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohol.

3. What would you expect to observe if you performed the chromic acid test on a sample of 1-hexanol?

4. What would you expect to observe if you performed the Lucas test on a sample of 1-hexanol?

5. Aqueous solutions of isopropyl alcohol are commonly sold as rubbing alcohol. The boiling point of isopropyl alcohol is 82.4 C. It evaporates readily from the surface of the skin. Ethylene glycol (CH2OHCH2OH) is sold as antifreeze/antiboil. The boiling point of ethylene glycol is 198 C. The molecular masses of isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol are similar. Provide an explanation for the observed difference in their boiling points.

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Post-Laboratory QuestionsEXP 4 Properties of Alcohols

Name:

1. Explain any differences observed between the solubility, viscosity, and the odor of ethyl alcohol and glycerol (CH2OHCHOHCH2OH)

2. Chromic acid oxidation is the basis of the Breathalyzer Test used by many police departments to detect ethyl alcohol in the breath of people suspected of driving under the influence. The amount of the green product is proportional to the amount of ethyl alcohol in the breath. Write structural formulas for the two oxidation products formed from ethyl alcohol. Name the oxidation products.

3. If you exercise strenuously without sufficient oxygen, lactic acid accumulates and contributes to muscle fatigue and soreness. When oxygen is later available, lactic acid must be oxidized to pyruvic acid. The structure of lactic acid is shown below.
OH H3C C H C OH O

(O)

lactic acid

pyruvic acid

(a) Circle the alcohol functional group. Classify the alcohol as primary, secondary, or tertiary. (b) Predict the solubility and chromic acid test results for lactic acid. (c) Complete the reaction equation above. Draw the formula of the reaction product, pyruvic acid.

4. Containers of antifreeze contain such warnings as Dispose of ethylene glycol properly and Keep out of the reach of children and animals. Considering the chemical reactivity of alcohols, suggest a specific reason for these types of warnings.

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