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LAB 4 - ALDEHYDES AND KETONES

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    506281
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    PURPOSE

      The purpose of this experiment is to:

    • Draw structures of aldehydes and ketones
    • Name aldehydes and ketones
    • Explore the physical properties and reactions of aldehydes and ketones
    • Perform chemical tests on aldehydes and ketones

     

    INTRODUCTION

    Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydrogen atom, whereas ketones have a carbonyl group located between two carbon atoms. As you will observe in this experiment, aldehydes and ketones exhibit similar physical and chemical properties. Like other functional groups you have previously studied, chemical tests can be used to identify aldehydes and ketones. Aldehydes react with Benedict’s reagent, a solution containing copper(II) ions, to produce carboxylic acids, as illustrated by the equation below:

    clipboard_e3adb66ede3bcdf48e8559f1e34c8193a.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Reaction of Aldehydes with Benedict's Reagent( a solution containing Copper (II) ions producing Carboxylic Acid. (Copyright,  CC BY 4.0(opens in new window); Saadia Khan using ACD/CHEM Sketch(free version) original files available upon request)

    During this reaction, copper(II) ions are reduced to copper(I) ions, leading to the formation of a red-orange precipitate. This indicates a positive test result for Benedict’s reagent. A negative test result is shown by the persistence of a blue solution, due to the presence of unreacted copper(II) ions. Since ketones do not undergo oxidation with common laboratory reagents, they will yield a negative test result with Benedict’s reagent.

    The iodoform test is a chemical procedure primarily used for methyl ketones, which have a methyl group attached to the carbonyl group. Consider the reaction between 2-hexanone and the iodoform reagent:

    Reaction between 2-hexanone and the Iodoform Reagent
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Reaction between 2-hexanone and the Iodoform Reagent (Copyright,  CC BY 4.0(opens in new window); Saadia Khan using ACD/CHEM Sketch(free version) original files available upon request)

     

    During the reaction, the red color of iodine disappears, forming a yellow solution or precipitate (due to the presence of iodoform). This indicates a positive test result. In contrast, if the red color of iodine remains, it signifies a negative test result.

    SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

    1) Wear chemical splash goggles while working on this experiment.

    2) Handle all reagents and perform all parts of this experiment under a working fume hood.

    3) Gloves are provided, and we encourage you to wear them.

    4) Be cautious when handling hot glassware after performing the simple distillation.

    5) Dispose of all waste in the appropriate container and clean all equipment and your work area when finished.

    CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Chemicals and Equipment

    CHEMICALS

    CHEMICALS

    CHEMICALS

    EQUIPMENT

    EQUIPMENT

    Propanal

    Cyclohexanone

    Iodoform Reagent*

    Styrofoam Cup

    7 small or medium-sized Test Tubes

    Butanal

    Unknown aldehyde or ketone

    Benedict’s Reagent*

    Thermometer

    Test Tube Rack

    Benzaldehyde

    Solid NaBr

    10% NaOH solution (or similar concentration)

    Watch glass

    400 mL Beaker

    Acetone

    Solid NaI

    Non-halogenated organic waste container

    Hot Plate

    Stirring Rod

    2-butanone

    Solid NaCl

    Halogenated organic waste container

    600 mL Beaker

    Spatula

    Water

    Isopropyl alcohol

    - - -

    EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

    Part A: Structures and Solubility

    1) Draw Lewis, condensed, or line-bond structures for the compounds used in this experiment.

    Propanal, butanal, benzaldehyde, acetone, 2-butanone, cyclohexanone

    2) Obtain 7 test tubes. Add the following reagents:

    Test tube 1: 1 mL of Propanal and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 2: 1 mL of Butanal and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 3: 1 mL of Benzaldehyde and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 4: 1 mL of Acetone and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 5: 1 mL of 2-butanone and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 6: 1 mL of Cyclohexanone and 1 mL of water.

    Test tube 7: 1 mL of Unknown and 1 mL of water.

    3) Thoroughly mix the contents of each test tube and record your observations.

    4) Pour the contents of each test tube into the non-halogenated organic waste container. Clean and dry the test tubes, then store them for later use.

    Part B: Acetone as a Solvent

    1) Obtain three small or medium-sized test tubes. Add the following reagents as indicated.

    Test tube 1: a small scoop of solid NaCl and 1 mL of acetone.

    Test tube 2: a small scoop of solid NaBr and 1 mL of acetone.

    Test tube 3: a small scoop of solid NaI and 1 mL of acetone.

    Note: Clean and dry the spatula between uses to avoid cross-contamination of the solid bottles.

    2) Thoroughly mix the contents of each test tube and record your observations.

    3) Pour the contents of each test tube into the halogenated organic waste container. Wash and dry the test tubes, then save them for future use.

    4) Fill a 400 mL beaker with 10 mL of acetone. Add a Styrofoam cup containing acetone to the beaker and record your observations. (This can also be done as a demonstration by the instructor.)

    5) Pour the contents of the beaker into the non-halogenated organic waste container. Clean and dry the beaker.

    Part C: Volatility of Acetone

    Get a watch glass. To separate the sides of the watch glass, add five drops of acetone and five drops of isopropyl alcohol. Record how long it takes for each solvent to evaporate completely.

    Part D: Iodoform Test

    1) Obtain seven small or medium-sized test tubes. Add the following reagents:

    Test tube 1: 10 drops of Propanal, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 2: 10 drops of Butanal, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 3: 10 drops of Benzaldehyde, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 4: 10 drops of Acetone, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 5: 10 drops of 2-butanone, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 6: Ten drops of cyclohexanone, 2 mL of water, and ten drops of 10% NaOH.

    Test tube 7: 10 drops of Unknown, 2 mL of water, and 10 drops of 10% NaOH

    2) Obtain a hot plate and a 600 mL beaker, filling it three-quarters with water. Place the test tubes in the beaker with water, and set the beaker on the hot plate. Heat the water bath to a temperature of no more than 55 °C. You can check the temperature with a thermometer.

    3) Place the test tubes in the water bath and add 20 drops of the iodoform reagent. Mix using a glass stirring rod. After 2 minutes, document your observations. 

    4) Pour the contents of each test tube into the halogenated organic waste container. Rinse and dry the test tubes, then set them aside for later use.

    5) Save the water bath for part E.

    Part E: Benedict’s Test

    1) Obtain seven small or medium test tubes. Add the following reagents:

    Test tube 1: 10 drops of Propanal and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 2: 10 drops of butanal and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 3: 10 drops of benzaldehyde and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 4: 10 drops of acetone and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 5: 10 drops of 2-butanone and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 6: 10 drops of cyclohexanone and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    Test tube 7: 10 drops of unknown and 2 mL of Benedict’s reagent.

    2) Mix the contents of each test tube using a glass stirring rod, and then place the test tubes in the water bath used for part D. Heat it to a boil. Once the water starts to boil, let the test tube sit in the water bath for 5 minutes. Record your observations after 5 minutes.

    3) Pour the contents of each test tube into the non-halogenated organic waste container. Disassemble the water bath, then wash and dry the test tubes.

    PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

    Name ____________________________________

    1) Provide a reasonable name for the following compounds.

    Prelab question providing names for five compounds.

    2) Draw structures for the following compounds.

    Part A: 2,2-dimethyl-3-hexanone

    Part B: 2-bromocyclohexanone

    Part C: 2-ethylpentanal

    Part D: hexanal

    Part E: 5-chloro-2,2-dimethylcyclopentanone

    3) Are aldehydes and ketones polar or nonpolar? What is the primary intermolecular force present in these compounds?

    4) Predict the major products from each of the following reactions.

    Prelab Question Predict major products for four reactions

    DATA AND OBSERVATIONS

    Name _________________________Lab Partner(s) ______________________________

    Part A: Structures and Solubility

    Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Data Table - Part A Structures and Solubility

    Compound

    Structure

    Soluble or Insoluble in Water?

    Propanal

       

    Butanal

       

    Benzaldehyde

       

    Acetone

       

    2-butanone

       

    Cyclohexanone

       

    Unknown

    X

     

    Part B: Acetone as a Solvent

    Table \(\PageIndex{3}\): Data Table - Part B:Acetone as a Solvent

    Compound

    Soluble or Insoluble in Acetone?

    NaCl

     

    NaBr

     

    NaI

     

    Describe what happens when the Styrofoam cup is added to acetone.

     

     

    Part C: Volatility of Acetone

    Table \(\PageIndex{4}\): Data Table - Part C: Volatility of Acetone

    Compound

    Primary Intermolecular Force

    The Time it Takes to Evaporate

    Isopropyl alcohol

       

    Acetone

       

     

    Parts D and E: Chemical Tests

    Table \(\PageIndex{5}\): Data Table - Parts D and E: Chemical Tests

    Compound

    Results of the Iodoform Test

    Results of Benedict’s Test

    Propanal

     

     

     

    Butanal

     

     

     

    Benzaldehyde

     

     

     

    Acetone

     

     

     

    2-butanone

     

     

     

    Cyclohexanone

     

     

     

    Unknown

     

     

     

    Analysis of Unknown:

    Unknown letter or number:

    Based on the results of the solubility, iodoform, and Benedict’s tests, identify your unknown as one of the six knowns.

     

    POST-LAB QUESTIONS

    1) Explain how certain aldehydes and ketones can dissolve in water.

    2) The halide test in acetone is a chemical test for certain alkyl halides. Based on the result from part B of this experiment, which halogen (Cl, Br, or I) would best serve this purpose? Explain.

    3) Explain the results of part C (volatility of acetone) in relation to intermolecular forces.

    4) Write the major product for any reaction occurring in part E (Benedict’s test).

    5) An unknown compound with the molecular formula C4H8O yielded the following results in four chemical tests. 

     

    Table \(\PageIndex{6}\): Data Table Post lab Analysis - Chemical Tests for Unknown C4H8O

    Chemical Test

    Result

    Bromine Test

    Formation of a colorless solution

    Potassium Permanganate Test

    Formation of a brown solid

    Benedict’s Test

    Formation of blue solution

    Iodoform Test

    Formation of red solution

    Using only the results of these chemical tests, draw two possible structures for the unknown.

    Please click here to access the Pre-Lab, Data Tables, and Post-Lab in Word or PDF format. Complete them and upload the lab report according to your instructor's instructions.

    *Preparation of Reagents: To prepare the Iodoform reagent, dissolve 10 g of I2 and 20 g of KI in sufficient water to achieve a total volume of 100 mL. For Benedict’s reagent, dissolve 86 g of sodium citrate and 50 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate in 400 mL of warm water. Next, dissolve 8.6 g of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate in 50 mL of water, then add this solution to the citrate/carbonate mixture. Add sufficient water to obtain a final volume of 500 mL.


    This page titled LAB 4 - ALDEHYDES AND KETONES is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Saadia Khan.