ORGANIC DISTINGUISHING TESTS UNIT 2 Alkane Alkene
Combustion Non-smokey flame Non-luminous flame No black residue Slightly smokey flame Luminous flame Some black residue
Br2/hexane
H2SO4 /KMnO4
Dry PCl5
Aq/ethanol/AgNO3/60oC
No reaction
No reaction
No reaction
No reaction
Orange to colourless
Purple to colourless
No reaction
No reaction
1o,2o alcohol As alkane
No reaction
Purple to colourless
As alkane
No reaction
No reaction
As alkane
No reaction
No reaction
Method Place 1 cm3 of the alkane into an evaporating dish. Ignite with a lightes splint. USE A FUME CUPBOARD
Method Add a few drops of Br2/CCl4 to 1cm3 of the alkene in a test tube.
Method Make acidified KMnO4 by mixing 1cm3 of KMnO4 solution to 5cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid. Take a few drops of this solution and add to 1cm3 of the alkene.
3o alcohol
Halogenoalkane
Repeat with alkene Repeat with the alcohol (heating may be needed)
Vigourous reaction Steamy fumes of HCl Dense white fumes with NH3 Vigourous reaction Steamy fumes of HCl Dense white fumes with NH3 No reaction
Method Add ≈0.5g PCl5 (small spatula) to 1cm3 of the alcohol in a test tube.
No reaction
No reaction RCl → AgCl white ppt RBr → AgBr cream ppt RI → AgI yellow ppt Method To 1cm3 of the halogenoalkane (e.g. RCl) in a test tube, add 1cm3 of ethanol and 1cm3 of AgNO3. Place in a water bath for 5min.