EXPERIMENT 12

Identification of Hydrocarbons
Discussion
The number of known organic compounds totals into the millions. Of these
compounds, the simplest types are those that contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
These are known as hydrocarbons. Because of the number and variety of hydrocarbons
that can exist, some means of classification is necessary.
One means of classification depends on the way in which carbon atoms are
connected. Chain aliphatic hydrocarbons are compounds consisting of carbons linked
either in a single chain or in a branched chain. Cyclic hydrocarbons are aliphatic
compounds that have carbon atoms linked in a closed polygon (also referred to as a ring).
For example, hexane (single) and 2-methylpentane (branched) are chain aliphatic
molecules, while cyclohexane is a cyclic aliphatic compound.

hexane

2-methylpentane

cyclohexane

Another means of classification depends on the type of bonding that exists

between carbons. Hydrocarbons that contain only carbon-to-carbon single bonds are
called alkanes. These are also referred to as saturated molecules. Hydrocarbons
containing at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond are called alkenes, and compounds
with at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond are called alkynes. Alkenes and alkynes are
referred to as unsaturated molecules. Finally, a class of cyclic hydrocarbons that contain
a closed loop (sextet) of electrons is called aromatic. With so many compounds possible,
identification of the bond type is an important step in establishing the molecular structure.
Quick, simple tests on small samples can establish the physical and chemical properties
of the compounds by class.
Some of the observed physical properties of hydrocarbons result from the
nonpolar character of the compounds. In general, hydrocarbons do not mix with polar
solvents such as water or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). On the other hand, hydrocarbons mix
with relatively nonpolar solvents such as ligroin (a mixture of alkanes), carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4), or dichloromethane (CH2Cl2). Because the density of most
hydrocarbons is less than that of water, they will float. Crude oil and crude oil products
(home heating oil and gasoline) are mixtures of hydrocarbons; when spilled on water,
these substances spread quickly along the surface because they are insoluble in water.
The chemical reactivity of hydrocarbons is determined by the type of bond in the
compound. Unsaturated hydrocarbons (i.e., alkenes and alkynes) react by addition of
reagents to the double or triple bonds. The addition products become saturated, with
fragments of the reagent becoming attached the carbons of the multiple bond. Aromatic

compounds, with a higher carbon-to-hydrogen ratio than nonaromatic compounds,

undergo substitution in the presence of catalysts rather than an addition reaction.
1.

Reaction with bromine. Unsaturated hydrocarbons react rapidly with

bromine in a solution of carbon tetrachloride or cyclohexane. The reaction
is the addition of the elements of bromine to the carbons of the multiple
bonds.
Br
+ Br2
Br
Colorless

Red

Br Br
+ 2Br2

Br Br
Colorless

Red

The bromine solution is red; the product that has the bromine atoms
attached to carbon is colorless. Thus, a reaction has taken place when there
is a loss of color from the bromine solution and a colorless solution
remains. Because alkanes have only single C-C bonds present, no reaction
with bromine is observed; the red color of the reagent would persist when
added. Aromatic compounds resist addition reactions because of their
aromaticity: the possession of a closed loop (sextet) of electrons which
imparts extreme stability. These compounds can react with bromine but
require the presence of a catalyst such as iron fillings or aluminum
chloride.
2.

Reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid. Alkenes react with cold

concentrated sulfuric acid by addition. Alkyl sulfonic acids form as
products and are soluble in H2SO4; subsequent water work-up results in an
-OH on the more substituted carbon (as demonstrated in lecture).
+ H2SO4

H2O

OH

Saturated hydrocarbons are unreactive (additions are not possible);

alkynes react slowly and require a catalyst (H2SO4); due to their inherent
stability, aromatic compounds are also unreactive.
3.

Reaction with potassium permanganate. Dilute or alkaline solutions of

KMnO4 oxidize unsaturated compounds. Alkanes and aromatic
compounds are generally unreactive. Evidence that a reaction has occurred
is observed by the loss of the purple color of KMnO4 and the formation of
the brown precipitate manganese dioxide, MnO2.

HO OH
3

+ 2KMnO4 + 4H2O
Purple

+ 2MnO2 + 2KOH

3
HO OH

Brown

Note that the product formed (which contains two -OH groups) is called
a glycol.
Procedure
Assume the organic compounds are highly flammable. Use only small quantities. Keep
away from open flames. Assume the organic compounds are toxic and can be absorbed
through the skin. Avoid contact; wash if any chemical spills on your person. Handle
concentrated sulfuric carefully. Flush with water if any spills on your person. Potassium
permanganate and bromine are toxic; bromine solutions are also corrosive. Although the
solutions are diluted, they may cause burns to the skin. Wear gloves when working with
these chemicals. Also consider the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The hydrocarbons hexane, cyclohexene, and toluene (alkane, alkene and aromatic,
respectively) are available in dropper bottles.
The reagents 1% Br2 in cyclohexane, 1% aqueous KMnO4, and concentrated
H2SO4 are available in dropper bottles.
Unknowns are in dropper bottles labeled A, B, and C. They may include an
alkane, an alkene, and/or an aromatic compound.
Test tubes will be suitable for all the tests; mix thoroughly.
Dispose of all organic wastes as directed by the instructor. Do not pour them into
the sink!

Physical Properties of Hydrocarbons

1.

Water solubility of hydrocarbons. Label six test tubes with the name of the
substance to be tested. Place into each test tube 5 drops of the appropriate
hydrocarbon: hexane, cyclohexene, toluene, unknown A, unknown B, and
unknown C. Add about 5 drops of water dropwise into each test tube. Water is a
polar solvent. Is there any separation of components? Which component is on the
bottom; which component is on the top? Mix the contents. What happens when
the contents are allowed to settle? What do you conclude about the density of the
hydrocarbon? Is the hydrocarbon more dense than water or less dense than water?
Record your observations. Save these solutions for comparison with the next part.

2.

Solubility of hydrocarbons in ligroin. Label six test tubes with the name of the
substance to be tested. Place into each test tube 5 drops of the appropriate
hydrocarbons: hexane, cyclohexene, toluene, unknown A, unknown B, and
unknown C. Add about 5 drops of ligroin dropwise into each test tube. Ligroin is
a nonpolar solvent. Is there a separation of components? Is there a bottom layer
and a top layer? Mix the contents. Is there any change in the appearance of the
contents before and after mixing? Compare these test tubes with those from the

previous part. Record your observations. Can you make any conclusion about the
density of the hydrocarbons from what you actually see?
Chemical Properties of Hydrocarbons
1.

Reaction with bromine. Results provided on data sheet.

2.

Reaction with KMnO4. Label six clean, dry test tubes with the name of the
substance to be tested. Place into each test tube 5 drops of the appropriate
hydrocarbon: hexane, cyclohexene, toluene, unknown A, unknown B, and
unknown C. Carefully add (dropwise) 1% aqueous KMnO4 solution; after each
drop, shake to mix the solutions. Keep count of the number of the drops needed to
have the color of the permanganate solution persist; do not add more than 10
drops. Record your observations.

3.

Reaction with concentrated H2SO4. Label six clean, dry test tubes with the name
of the substance to be tested. Place into each test tube 5 drops of the appropriate
hydrocarbon: hexane, cyclohexene, toluene, unknown A, unknown B, and
unknown C. Place all of the test tubes in an ice bath. Wear gloves and carefully
add (with shaking) 3 drops of cold, concentrated sulfuric acid to each test tube.
Note whether the solution has become homogeneous or whether a color is
produced. (The evolution of heat, the formation of a homogeneous solution, or the
appearance of a color is evidence that a reaction has occurred.) Record your
observations.

4.

Unknowns: By comparing the observations you made for your unknowns with
that of the known hydrocarbons, you can identify unknowns A, B, and C. Record
their identities on your data sheet.

Name: ________________________________
Data and Calculations for Experiment 12
Physical properties of hydrocarbons
Solubility: Does the hydrocarbon mix with the solvent, soluble, or not mix with solvent,
insoluble? Use the observations you make for the solubility tests and determine whether
the hydrocarbons are polar or nonpolar substances.
Density: For water, is the density greater than water (sinks) or less than water (floats)?
For ligroin, can you tell anything about the relative densities?
H2O
Hydrocarbon

Hexane

Cyclohexene
Toluene,

Unknown A

Unknown B

Unknown C

Solubility

Ligroin
Density

Solubility

Density

Chemical properties of hydrocarbons (note: results for bromine test are provided)
Hydrocarbon

Bromine Test

Hexane

Red

Cyclohexene

Colorless

Toluene,
Red

Unknown A

Red

Unknown B

Colorless

Unknown C

Red

Unknown A is ______________________.

Unknown B is ______________________.

Unknown C is ______________________.

KMnO4 Test

H2SO4 Test

Questions
1.

Below are four organic compounds. The reagent shown is added to the compound.
Based on your studies in this lab, determine the products (if any) that you should
observe when the reactants below are mixed together:
A.

+ Br2

B.

+ KMnO4

C.

D.

2.

+ H2SO4

H2O

+ KMnO4

A student has two compounds in two separate bottles but with no labels on either
one. One is an unbranched alkane, octane (C8H18); the other is 1-hexene (C6H12),
an unbranched alkene. Based on your observations in this experiment, tell what
you should observe via the following tests:
Octane

1-Hexene

A. Water solubility
B. Ligroin solubility
C. Density versus water
D. Bromine test
E. Permanganate test
3.

An unknown compound, believed to be a hydrocarbon, showed the following

behavior: no heat or color appeared when sulfuric acid was added; permanganate
solution remained purple; and the red color of bromine solution was lost only
after a catalyst was added. From the compounds below, circle the ONE that fits
the observations.
OR

OR

OR