Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Compiled by
Department
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
The analysis and identification of unknown organic compounds constitutes a very important
aspect of experimental organic chemistry. Often, a common first step in the identification of an
unknown substance is to determine what elements are present in the sample. Although it is often
possible to establish the structure of a compound on the basis of spectra alone (IR, NMR, etc.), the
spectra typically must be supplemented with other information about the compound: physical state and
properties (melting point, boiling point, solubility, odour, colour, etc.), elemental analysis, and
confirmatory tests for functional groups.
In this experiment you will carry out several qualitative tests that will allow you to identify
functional groups in organic molecules. You will then apply what you have learned by characterizing
unknown organic compounds in terms of their functional group and solubility behavior.
There is no definite set procedure that can be generally applied to organic qualitative analysis.
Various books have different approaches, but a systematic approach based on the scheme given below
will give good results. Each functional group has a particular set of chemical properties that allow it to
be identified. Some of these properties can be demonstrated by observing solubility behavior, while
others can be seen in chemical reactions that are accompanied by color changes, precipitate formation,
or other visible effects.
In carrying out identification of an organic compound following tests and observations are
carried out:
FeSO4 2Fe2(SO4)3
V
Solubility Test:
Substance (Solid/Liquid) + Solvent (Water (ether) : dil. HCl : dil. NaOH (NaHCO3) : Conc. H2SO4)
Don’t change the above order of solubility test. If the substance is soluble in earlier groups do not proceed further.
If N is absent If N is present
Soluble in water In Conc. H2SO4
(Use dry test tube)
Soluble in dil. HCl Soluble in dil. NaOH Soluble/Chemical Indifferent
Soluble in Ether changes like heat or
Insoluble in Ether Insoluble
(Use dry test tube) colour development,
ppt etc.
Group IV
Group I Group II Group III Group V Group VI Group VII
Sub + Sodium bicarbonate soln
Resorcinol Sugars 10 Amines Soluble Insoluble Aldehydes Hydrocarbons Amides
(solid) Acids Phenols
(special phenol) Glucose (solid) Aniline (liquid) Benzaldehyde Toluene (liquid) Benzamide (solid)
(liquid) Naphthalene (solid)
Salicylic acid o, m & p – Cresols
Alcohols Ortho and meta Benzoic acid (all liquids) Diphenyl(solid) Anilides
Ketones
Aldehydes toluidine (both solids)
Ketones and Acids (both liquids) Acetophenone Halogen Acetanilide (solid)
of Low molecular Urea (solid) (liquid) hydrocarbons Benzanilide (solid)
weight (special amide) Para toluidine
(solid) Benzophenone Chlorobenzene Nitro Compounds
Acetamide (solid) (solid) Bromobenzene
20 Amines Benzylchloride Nitrobenzene
Thiourea Methyl and Ethyl Alcohols (all liquid) (liquid)
Aniline Dinitrobenzene
(both liquids) Benzylalcohol (solid)
(liquid)
Nitrotoluene
30 Amines (liquid)
Esters
Dimethyl and Dinitrotoluene
diethyl Aniline Methyl and ethyl (liquid)
(both liquids) benzoate
Methylsalicylate
(all liquids)
Test Observation Inference
6. Group Detection:
A Test for Group I: Low molecular weight compounds like Acids, Alcohols, Aldehydes, ketones, esters, phenols, etc
a. Test for Aldehydes: Red ppt Aldehydes or Ketones present
Sub + 2,4-dinitrophenol
b. Test for Alcohols: Effervescence Alcohol present
Sub + Sodium metal in a dry test tube
c. Test for Acids: Effervescence Acids present
Sub + NaHCO3 solution
d. Test for Esters: Pink colour disappears Esters present
Sub + NaOH solution + 1 drop of
phenolphthalein indicator
e. Test for Phenols: Violet colour, greenish purple Phenols present
Sub + Alcoholic FeCl3 solution colour, bluish purple colour
B Test for Group II: Sugars and Amides
Nitrogen absent-Sugars: Glucose- see aldehydes, under group V;
Nitrogen present-Urea/Thiourea,
a. Test for Sugars
i. Molisch Test: Violet ring at the junction of 2 Sugars present
Sub + Molisch’s reagent + 2 ml Conc. layers
H2SO4 along sides of the test tube.
ii. Fehling’s test: Brick Red colour Reducing Sugar present
Sub + Fehling’s reagent A and B –
warm on water bath
iii. Benedict’s Test: Orange colour Reducing Sugar present
Sub + Benedict’s reagent - warm on
water bath
iv. Barfoed’s Test: Red colour Monosaccharide present
Sub + Barfoed’s reagent - warm on
water bath
v. Rapid Furfural test: Violet Colour Glucose present
Sub + rapid Furfural reagent + Conc.
HCl – boil
b. Test for Amides:
i. Burn substance over an open flame Burns without soot and leaves Aliphatic compounds.
white residue Urea may be present.
ii. Sub + NaOH solutions (heat in a Smell of NH3 / Red litmus held Amides (urea) may be present.
dry test tube) on top of test tube turns blue.
iii. Nitrous acid test Effervescence due to evolution Amides present
Dissolve substance in dil. HCl and add of Nitrogen
to solution of NaNO2 – Boil off Clear solution Aliphatic amides present
nitrogen and cool test tube.
White ppt Aromatic amides present
iv. Biuret test Pink, Violet or Blue colour Urea confirmed.
Place 0.2 g of Urea in a dry test tube
and heat until it melts and all NH3 has
evolved – and it resolidifies. Dissolve
the residue in few ml of water + 1 ml
of dil. NaOH solution and finally add
CuSO4 solution dropwise.
c. Test for Thiourea
Sub + Potassium ferricyanide + dil. Green colour changing to blue Thiourea present
Acetic acid – warm slightly
C Test for Group III: 10, 20 and 30 Amines
i. Sub + Acetyl chloride or Benzoyl Vigorous reaction (solid 10 and 20 Amines
chloride (in dry test tube) separates)
ii. Diazotization Test: a. Clear solution/Brown oil 10 Amines
Sub + dil. HCl till soluble – cool in ice obtained – further add ice
water. Add ice cold solution of NaNO2 cold -naphthol in NaOH
in water. solution - Orange Dye
b. Yellow oil separates 20 Amines
c. Red/Brown oil - further add 30 Amines
NaOH solution - green solid
separates
iii. Carbylamine or Isocyanide reaction: Carbylamine smell 10 amine (Aliphatic / Aromatic)
Sub + CHCl3 + NaOH solution – Boil No Carbylamine smell 20 Amines
continuously
D Test for Group IV: Acids and Phenols
Sub + NaHCO3 solution Compound dissolves with Carboxylic Acids may be present
Effervescence of CO2
No Effervescence Phenols present
a. Test for Acids: Salicylic acid, Cinnamic acid, Benzoic acid
Confirmatory test for Acids: (Esterification reaction)
Sub + 1 ml of Alcohol + Conc. H2SO4 Fruity odour due to ester Acid confirmed
(few drops) – heat for some time on formation
water bath, cool and pour in a china
dish containing water
i. Sub + Alcoholic FeCl3 Purple-Violet colour Phenolic acids – Salicylic acid present
No colour, but ppt Salicylic acid absent.
Benzoic acid/Cinnamic acid may be
present
ii. Sub + Bromine water – dropwise Decolourisation Cinnamic acid
with shaking No Decolourisation Benzoic acid
iii. Fluorescein Test: Dark red colouration with Phthalic acid/succinic acid may be
0.2 g Sub + 0.2 g resorcinol – heat the green fluorescence present
mixture + drops of Conc. H2SO4 + 1 ml (fluorescence can be observed
of water – heat (to dissolve the by addition of reaction mixture
residue) and add excess of NaOH in to a beaker with 10ml water)
dropwise. Dark red colour with green Benzoic acid is present
fluorescence not obtained
b. Test for Phenols: Cresols, Resorcinol
i. Sub + Alcoholic FeCl3 Purple/Green/Violet colour Phenols or Cresols present
ii. Libermann’s Nitroso test: Green/Blue colour with water Phenolic compound confirmed
Add little of phenolic compound to
minute crystal of NaNO2 (sodium Red colour with dil. HCl
nitrite) in a dry test tube – Heat
gently for a minute, cool and add few
Green colour with dil. NaOH
drops of Conc. H2SO4 from the sides
iii. Phthalein Test: Different colours Phenolic compound confirmed
0.2 g Sub + 0.2 g Phthalic anhydride + Violet / pink colour Phenol
2-3 drops of Conc. H2SO4 (in a dry Intense violet/red o-cresol
test tube) – heat a min and cool –
Bluish purple m-cresol
add 1 ml of water then pour in dil.
Pink-red / light green p-cresol
NaOH solution
Red colour with green fluorescence Resorcinol
Greenish blue / dark green - naphthol
Permangnate colour -naphthol
No colour / no reaction Salicylic acid
E Test for Group V: Aldehydes, Ketones, Alcohols, Esters
a. Test for Aldehydes
i. Sub + 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine Precipitate Aldehyde/Ketone present
solution (2,4-DNP)(excess) – warm (red/Orange/Yellow)
if necessary
ii. Tollen’s Test: Silver mirror formed on the Aldehydes present (aromatic aldehyde
Sub + Tollen’s reagent (ammonical walls of the test tube/ grey- gives test)
AgNO3 soln) – warm on a water bath black ppt
No Silver mirror Ketones present
iii. Sub + Fehling’s solution (A+B) – Red ppt Aldehyde present
warm on a water bath (benzaldehyde does not give red ppt)
iv. Sub + Schiff’s reagent (shake well & Violet-purple/Magenta colour Aldehyde confirmed (glucose does not
observe the colour after 3-4 min) (Note: Light pink colour should be give pink colour)
considered as negative result)
b. Test for Ketones
i. Sub + 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine Precipitate Aldehyde/Ketone present
solution (excess) – warm if necessary (red/Orange)
i. Tollen’s Test: No Silver mirror Ketones present
Sub + Tollen’s reagent (ammonical
AgNO3 soln) – warm on a water bath
ii. Sub + Fehling’s solution (A+B) – No Red ppt Ketone present
warm on a water bath
iii. Sub + Schiff’s reagent (shake well) No Violet-purple/Magenta Ketone present
colour
iv. Sub + freshly prepared Sodium Pink/Red colouration Ketone with methyl group(-CO-CH3)
nitroprusside solution – shake well (Acetophenone/Acetone)
+ dil. NaOH solution in excess
v. Sub + 0.2 g naphthalene (in a dry Surface of Sodium appears Benzophenone confirmed
test tube) – heat until molten + greenish-blue
small dry piece of Sodium – heat.
c. Test for Alcohols
ii. Sub + 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine No Red Precipitate Aldehyde/Ketone absent
solution (excess) – warm if necessary Alcohol may be present
iii. Sub + freshly cut shiny Sodium Vigorous reaction (brisk Alcohol present
metal (in a dry test tube) effervescence of hydrogen gas)
a.
Test for Amides
i. Sub + NaOH solution – heat Evolution of NH3 detected by Amide present
smell or red litmus turned blue
No smell of NH3 Amides absent
ii. Nitrous acid test: Effervescence due to evolution Amides present
- Place and dissolve little of of nitrogen
compound in dil. HCl and add to Clear solution Aliphatic amide present
solution of NaNO2
- Boil off nitrogen and cool the test
White ppt Aromatic amine present
tube
b. Test for Anilides
i. Sub + NaOH + CHCl3 – boil for Smell of carbylamine Anilide Present
some time
No Smell of carbylamines Anilide absent
ii. Sub + Conc. HCl – boil for some Red/Orange dye Anilide confirmed
time till clear solution is obtained.
Dilute with water – cool + ice cold
NaNO2 solution. Finally add ice cold
-naphthol in NaOH in solution
dropwise
c. Test for Nitro Compounds
i. Sub + NaOH solution – boil No smell of NH3 Amides absent
ii. Sub + NaOH solution + CHCl3 – No smell of carbylamines Anilide absent
boil continuously for some time
iii. Sub + Conc. HCl + Tin pieces – Clear solution Nitro compound present
wait till reaction ceases – then boil - Further add ice cold -
till layer disappears – cool, filter, naphthol in NaOH in
dilute and add ice cold NaNO2 solution dropwise.
solution - Red/Orange dye
obtained
iv. Neutral Reduction: Grey/Black ppt Nitro compound present
Dissolve 0.1 g of sample in 2 ml (NO2 group present)
ethanol + 5 drops of CaCl2 solution +
pinch of Zinc dust and boil the
contents for 5 mins. Filter the solution
in a test tube containing 1 ml of
Tollen’s reagent
v. Test for Aromatic nitro compounds: Pink colour Dinitro compound
Sub + acetone + NaOH solution No pink colour Mononitro compound
Derivative Preparation
Derivatizations are the synthetic procedures regarding ‘conversions’ of one simple common
organic compound into another compound that can be thoroughly characterized. After performing the
preliminary and elemental analysis, solubility tests, functional groups test and determination of
melting/boiling point, the student can propose a list of possible compounds for the given unknown
sample. These possible compounds may contain a number of structural differences; therefore the final
confirmation for the identity of the given unknown sample can be accomplished by preparation of a
suitable derivative of the given sample and noting its melting/boiling point.
Sr.
Procedure
No.
1. Urea Nitrate (For Urea)
To a saturated solution in water add Conc. Nitric acid – Shake well. Crystals of Urea nitrate separate.
2. Benzoate Derivative (For Alcohols/Phenols)
Place 0.5 g of sample in 2.5 ml of water in a test tube. To this add 2.5 ml of 10% NaOH, followed by by 0.3
ml of benzoyl chloride. Shake for several mins. (or boil on low heat). The odour of benzoyl chloride should
disappear. The mixture is poured into water and the product is recrystallized from alcohol.
(Caution: Benzoyl chloride is highly corrosive and irritating – Handle with care)
(Caution: Benzoyl chloride is highly corrosive and irritating – Handle with care)
6. Base Catalyzed Derivative (For Amides/Anilides/Imides/nitriles)
Reflux a mixture of 0.5 g unknown sample and 15 ml of NaOH for 15-20 mins. The aqueous solution is
allowed to cool in ice bath. Add conc. HCl drop-wise until the mixture becomes acidic to litmus. Filter the
solid carboxylic acid ppt. (If no ppt obtained extract the mixture thrice with 8 ml diethyl ether and pass the
combined extract over anhydrous magnesium sulphate and evaporate the ether at room temp to leave the acid
residue.)
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Physical Constants of Compounds and their derivatives
Name of the Name of the Name of the
Compound Derivative with Compound Derivative with Compound Derivative with
Structure Structure Structure
[M.P./B.P. (0C)] [M.P./B.P. (0C)] [M.P./B.P. (0C)]
[M.P./B.P. (0C)] [M.P./B.P. (0C)] [M.P./B.P. (0C)]
Acetic acid Phenylhydrazine Benzoic acid Phenylhydrazine Phthalic acid Amide [219]
B.P – 118 [129] M.P - 121 [167] M.P – 208 Anilide [251]
Amide [82] Amide [139]
Anilide [162]
Cinnamic acid Amide [153] Salicylic acid Amide [135] Acetylsalicylic acid Amide [135]
M.P - 133 Anilide [147] M.P – 158 Anilide [139] M.P – 135 Anilide [139]
Methyl acetate Amide [82] Ethyl acetate Amide [82] Methyl benzoate Amide [130]
B.P – 57 3,5- B.P – 77 3,5- B.P – 199 3,5-
Dinitrobenzoate Dinitrobenzoate Dinitrobenzoate
[108] [93] [108]
Ethyl benzoate Amide [130] Benzyl benzoate Amide [130] Methyl salicylate Amide [142]
B.P – 212 3,5- B.P – 323 3,5- B.P – 224 3,5-
Dinitrobenzoate Dinitrobenzoate Dinitrobenzoate
[93] [113] [108]
Benzanilide Benzoic acid [122] Benzene 1,3 – Dinitro [90] Toluene 2,4-dinitro [71]
M.P – 160 B.P – 80 B.P – 111
Melting Boiling
Sr. Sr.
Solids Point Liquids Point
No. No.
(M.P) ( C)
0
(B.P) ( C)
0