Analysis and Characterization of

Oxygen-bearing Organic Compounds

Ramos, Diego; Ramos, Ma. Rollene; Samonte, Elishae Dana*; Sayat, Anthonay

Jay;

2-Biology-6, Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas

Abstract: In this experiment, a series of different tests namely: the Dichromate test,
Tollen's test, Lucas test, DNPH test and Iodoform test, were conducted to differentiate
and analyze different types of oxygen-bearing organic compounds based on their chemical
reactions and infer the structural feature of an unknown sample/compound through parallel
tests. The samples used for these tests were n-propanol, 2-propanol, tert-Butyl alcohol,
formaldehyde, acetone and two unknown samples. Through using different reagents and
techniques, the compounds' characteristics were observed and distinguished. The unknown
samples were then compared to the other compounds named.

Introduction:

Oxygen-bearing organic compounds have varying structural features. These structural

features could either be alcohol (ROH), ether (ROR), ester (RCOOR), ketone (RCOR),

aldehyde (RCHO), etc. There are no particular chemical tests that can differentiate one from

the other, but combinations of chemical tests could possibly show a distinct functionality and

characteristic. The following reagents were used as standards: n-propanol, a primary alcohol.

A primary alchohol has a characteristic wherein a carbon atom along with a hydroxyl group

has at least two hydrogens and an organic group attached onto it. The carbon atom and the R

would then form an alkyl group. Next is the 2-propanol which is a secondary alcohol. A

secondary alcohol has a characteteristic of one hydrogen attached onto a carbon with a

hydroxyl group. The carbon is then joined to two alkyl groups. The tert-Butyl alcohol, known

as the simplest tertiary alcohol. A tertiary alcohol has a characteristic of having no hydrogens

attached on a carbon along with a hydroxyl group. The carbon is then connected to three alkyl
groups. Another is the formaldehyde, which is an aldehyde. An aldehyde has a characteristic

of having a carbonyl group attached to an alkyl or aromatic group which can be then reduced

to a primary alcohol. And lastly, we have the acetone, a ketone. A ketone has a carbonyl

group attached onto two alkyl or aromatic groups. Two other unknown reagents were also

given besides these given samples, and the results from the different tests were used as a basis

to identify and characterize the given unknown.

The following different chemical tests were used to differ: