Lab

Chemistry of the Functional Groups Classification Test
Shante Gill
Instructor Dr. Shakya
August 2, 2021
Introduction
In this experiment a breakdown of how one can test aldehydes, keynotes and alcohols.
Using different reagents and different test one can identify aldehydes and ketones from alcohol
then taking a step further perform another test to distinguish between the aldehyde and keytone.
For aldehyde and keytone the 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydeazine Test, known as DNP is performed
along with, Tollen’s Test for aldehydes, Iodoform test for methyl keynotes and the Chromic acid
test. Leaving the alcohol which is when the Lucas test is performed which distinguishes primary,
secondary and tertiary; 1°,2°, 3°.
The beginning of the experiment started with the test for the carbonyl group. The
carbonyl group is common to both aldehydes and keynotes. In aldehydes, the carbonyl group
always has a H atom bonded to it, and in the case of acetaldehyde it has a second hydrogen
bonded to it. Because the aldehyde group must include at least one hydrogen atom with the
carbonyl, the aldehyde function will always appear at the en of the carbon chain. Because the
chemical properties of aldehydes differ from those of ketones, it is common to think the aldehyde
carbonyl unit as a functional group in its own right. For the DNP test by adding only 2-3 drops
the test turns from orange and the orange liquid will react with the aldehyde from H or R prime.
The water is removed now NNH will be delivered and a yellow precipitate will form whenever
there’s a cross or trade , then one will notice a thick yellow which is known and the DNP Test.
Based on the experiment the appearance of aldehydes and keynotes are easily detected by the
formation of brightly colored 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone precipitates.
Next to test the between they aldehyde and ketone the Tollens Test or “Silver Mirror
Test” is done for the aldehyde. Since aldehydes are easily oxidized to carboxylic acids, while
keynotes are not, the tollens reagent is a solution of silver nitrate in aqueous ammonia.
Silver ion is also a very weak oxidizing agent, so it is a specific test for the presence of aldehyde.
In this reaction, the aldehyde was oxidized to the carboxylic acid, while the Ag(I) ion was
reduced to metallic silver, which formed a black precipitate or a silver mirror or clean test tube.
The Data results table showed, only butyraldehyde gave a positive result with Tollens Test. To
distinguish the aldehyde and keytone, the keytone will not react but the aldehyde will due to the
oxidization of the C double bond. The silver lining of the Ag will be deposited around the test
tube which indicates positive for aldehyde. The Tollen Test show the formation of the ammonium
salt of a carboxylic acid as one of the products. In the basic environment of this test, the
carboxylic acid is quickly neutralized and exists as the soluble ammonium salt.
Moving along now will be a test for ketones. More in particular, methyl keynotes is the
Iodoform test. Ususally for keynotes if the CH3 group on one side when you react with the
sodium hydroxide and iodine that is when it will form carboxide salt and CSIB its a yellow ppt
and medicine smell which indication of positive reaction.
The final test in this experiment was the Chromic Acid test by adding 5 drops of chromic
acid to 10 drops of acetone. While this test compliments the Tollens test, its useful as it can
distinguish between aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes based upon how long it takes for the color
change to occur. In this reaction chromic acid is reduced to CR3 and the color mixture changes
from orange to green. Since ketones are not oxidized by chromic acid they do not undergo this
reaction. The positive indication of this reaction an oxidation reaction could also take place often
Chromic acid test or sodium dichromate and sulfuric acid how at the same time chromium will
form cr3 which will be the green color indication a change from the orange reducing to green.
The last part of the experiment went to distinguish functional groups of alcohols using
only the Lucas test.In the Lucas test the reagent used is zinc chloride and hydrochloric acid. The
1° OH has 2 hydrogen , only one hydrogen for secondary OH (alcohol) and tertiary OH no
hydrogen present. For this test a freshly reagent was prepared and °3 will form whit ppt
immediately , 2° the white ppt will form within the 3-5 minute time frame and 1°(primary OH no
ppt is formed. . This is because SN1 only reacts in 2°and 3° OH. Sodium dichromate and sulfuric
acid 1° will give carboxylic acid green will form , 2° will give keytone green 3° no reaction.
Below one will find a chart showing the identification of aldehydes, keynotes and alcohols of
how the test is done along with different reagents and reactions.
Compound Test Reagent Reaction
Acetaldehyde DNP 2,4- Positive

dinitrophenylhydrazine Yellow ppt
Acetone-2,4-
dinitrophenylhydrazone
Acetaldehyde Tollens Silver Nitrate & Brown ppt to silver

Sodium Hydroxide around test tube
Acetate ion
Silver
methylketone Iodoform Sodium hydroxide Yellow precipitate

&iodine Medicine smell
Primary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride No reaction

[hydrochloric acid]
(concentrated)
Secondary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride No reaction in cold

[hydrochloric acid] water.
(concentrated) In hot water white
precipitate
Tertiary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride White precipitate

[hydrochloric acid]
(concentrated)
Works Cited
1. Shakya, Rajendra. Organic Chemistry I & II Laboratory Manual (Second edition) . US:
Hayden-McNeil, LLC 2019

Lab

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lab

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lab

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chemistry of the Functional Groups Classification Test

Acetaldehyde DNP 2,4- Positive

Acetaldehyde Tollens Silver Nitrate & Brown ppt to silver

methylketone Iodoform Sodium hydroxide Yellow precipitate

Primary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride No reaction

Secondary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride No reaction in cold

Tertiary alcohol Lucas Anhydrous zinc chloride White precipitate

You might also like