ABSTRACT

Organic compunds were examined to a comparative investigation to differentiate the properties of

each sample. The physical state at room temperature, odor and color of the sample were noted by simple
observation. In terms of solubility in H
2
O, 5% NaOH solution and 5% HCl solution, the samples were
classified as to miscible, slightly immiscible or immiscible for liquid; and very soluble, soluble, partially
soluble or insolubse for solid. The samples also underwent a test using litmus paper to classify its acidity,
basicity or neutrality. The next procedure was the ignition test, which classified the sample as to whether
the sample was flammable, or non-flammable and the color of the flame were noted. After going through
all the tests, it was proven that organic compounds possess different properties.


INTRODUCTION

Organic compounds are the complex
compounds of carbon. Because carbon atoms
bond to one another easily, the basis of most
organic compounds is comprised of carbon
chains that vary in length and shape. Hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen atoms are the most
common atoms that are generally attached to
the carbon atoms. Each carbon atom has 4 as
its valence number which increases the
complexity of the compounds that are formed.
Since carbon atoms are able to create double
and triple bonds with other atoms, it further also
raises the likelihood for variation in the
molecular make-up of organic compounds.
[1]
Carbon can also bond with itself and hydrogen
to form both chains and rings called
hydrocarbons. Because the covalent bond
between carbon and hydrogen is nonpolar,
these carbon skeletons are hydrophobic.
Functional groups can be added to carbon
skeletons to make them more hydrophilic.
Differences in the carbon skeleton and attached
functional groups cause organic molecules to
have different chemical properties. The chemical
properties of a molecule determine how it
interacts with other molecules and the role the
molecule plays in the cell. Some functional
groups are hydrophobic and others are
hydrophilic.
[2]

Hydrocarbons are the simplest class of
organic compounds and are composed solely of
hydrogen and carbon. This class can be further
divided into two groups: aliphatic hydrocarbons
and aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic
hydrocarbons can be classified based on the
structure and bonding of the carbon skeleton
into three groups: alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.
Aromatic hydrocarbons or arenes, which contain
a benzene ring, were originally named for their
pleasant odors. These compounds possess
special properties due to the delocalized
electron density in benzene, including additional
stabilization due to the system of conjugated
rings consisting of unsaturated bonds, lone pairs,
and empty orbitals.
[3]

Organic compounds have different
properties. They may vary in their physical state
at room temperature, color, odor and solubility in
different reagents. The experiment aims to
differentiate organic compounds in terms of:
certain intrinsic physical properties, solubility in
different solvents and behavior towards
ignition.
[4]


METHODOLOGY

Compounds Tested

Cyclohexane
DCM
Ethanol
Phenol
Benzoic Acid
Ethyl acetate
Ethyl amine




























Figure 1. Samples used in the experiment

Physical State, Color and Odor
The physical state of the sample was
observed at room temperature. Then, the color
was noted and with a wafting motion, the odor
was described.

Solubility Properties
The sample was introduced in a clean
and dry test tube. 4 drops of each sample was
added if the sample is a liquid; and 0.1 g of
sample was added if the sample is a solid. The
solid samples were grinded to increase the
surface area. The solvent was added drop wise
and counted the number of drops of solvent
added to a total of 3mL. Any change, warming
effects, soluble/insoluble, miscible/ immiscible or
effervescence was noted.
Reaction with Litmus Paper
If the water is soluble in water, the
aqueous solution was tested with red and blue
litmus paper. The color changes in both litmus
paper was noted.
Ignition Test
Three to five drops of the liquid sample
was placed in a small evaporating dish and then
was lighted with a match. If the sample is solid,
a pinch amount was used. The sample was
observed if it is flammable or not. The color of
flame produced was noted.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Observation of Physical State at Room
Temperature, Color and Odor of Samples

Table 1. Intrinsic properties of samples


As shown in the table, most of the
hydrocarbons are clear. The result of the
experimentshowed that Phenol becomes red
uponoxidation and white crystals for
benzoicacid. The odors of the compounds are
quite similar to each other but still have different
identity. Cyclohexane and DCM both have
paste-like odor. Ethanol smells like alcohol while
benzoic acid is odorless. Ethyl acetate has
plastic balloon odor while ethylamine has urine
odor or can be ammoniacal odor because of its
functional group, amine.

B. Test for Solubility Properties of Sample in
H
2
O, 5% NaOH solution and 5% HCl solution

Table 2. Solubility of sample in different solvents
Physical
State at
RT
Color Odor
Cyclohexane Liquid Colorless Paste-like
odor
DCM Liquid Turbid Paste-like
odor
Ethanol Liquid Colorless Alcohol
odor
Phenol Liquid Red Mighty
bond odor
Benzoic
Acid
Solid
crystals
White Odorless
Ethyl acetate Liquid Colorless Plastic
balloon
odor
Ethylamine Liquid Clear
yellow
Urine odor
H
2
O 5%
NaOHsoln
5%
HClsoln
Cyclohexane Immiscible Immiscible Immiscible
DCM Immiscible Immiscible Immiscible
Ethanol Miscible Miscible Miscible
Phenol Miscible Miscible Immiscible

The solubility properties of organic
compounds using H
2
O, 5% NaOH solution and
5% HCL solution indicates whether the solid
sample is soluble or insoluble and if the liquid
sample is miscible and immiscible. Solubility of
sample to the solvent is related to polarity of the
two substances and the intermolecular forces of
attraction during the solution process. The like
dissolves like principle is involved. Water is a
polar solvent so the sample that is soluble or
miscible with water is also polar. Based on the
results, ethanol, phenol, ethyl acetate and
ethylamine are polar compounds. The solubility
in 5% NaOH solution of a water insoluble
sample is an indication that acidic functional
group is present. Compounds that behave as
bases in aqueous solution are detected by their
solubility in 5% HCl solution.
[5]

Ethanol and phenol are miscible while
benzoic acid is very soluble in 5% NaOH
solution. The rest of samples are immiscible.
Ethanol and ethylamine are miscible in 5% HCl
solution while the rest of the samples are
immiscible and benzoic acid is insoluble.
C. Reaction with Litmus Paper
Table 3. Acidity, basicity and neutrality of samples
Reaction with
Litmus Paper
Cyclohexane -
DCM -
Ethanol Neutral
(b-b,r-r)
Phenol Acidic
(b-r,r-r)
Benzoic Acid -
Ethyl acetate Acidic
(b-r,r-r)
Ethylamine Basic
(b-b,r-b)
Reaction with litmus paper indicated
acidity, basicity or neutrality of water-soluble
samples. Acidic solution turns blue litmus paper
to red and red litmus paper to red. Blue litmus
paper to blue and red litmus paper to blue
indicates a basic solution. Neutral solution is
characterized by blue to blue litmus paper and
red to red litmus paper.
As shown in the table, phenol and ethyl
acetate are acidic while ethylamine is basic.
Ethanol is a neutral sample. Cyclohexane, DCM
and benzoic acid were not subjected to the
litmus paper test because of their immiscible
property with water.
D. Ignition Test
Table 4. Degree of Luminosity of the Samples

The result of the Ignition test indicates
the presence of unsaturated or high carbon to
hydrogen ratio. The degree of luminosity can be
assessed by the presence of yellow or luminous
flame. The aromatic compounds burn with sooty
flame due to the incomplete combustion, which
causes the formation of an unburned
carbon.The higher the number of Carbon atoms,
the higher the degree of luminosity. In addition,
the higher the Carbon: Hydrogen Ratio, the
higher the degree of luminosity.In terms of
degree of luminosity: aromatic compound >
unsaturated hydrocarbon > saturated
hydrocarbon.
[6]

Complete combustion is indicated by a
blue flame (non-luminous) and there is more
H
2
O 5%
NaOHsoln
5%
HClsoln
Benzoic Acid Insoluble Very
soluble
Insoluble
Ethyl acetate Miscible Immiscible Immiscible
Ethylamine Miscible Immiscible Miscible
Ignition Test
Cyclohexane Flammable (Luminous flame)
DCM Non-flammable
Ethanol Flammable (Non-luminous flame)
Phenol Flammable (Luminous flame)
Benzoic Acid Non-flammable
Ethyl acetate Flammable (Luminous flame)
Ethylamine Flammable (Luminous flame)
heat than light, the carbon is completely
oxidized.
2C
10
H
22
+31O
2
20CO
2
+22H
2
O
Incomplete combustion is indicated by a
yellow flame (luminous) and there is much light
than heat; the carbon is not completely oxidized.
2C
2
H
2
+ 5O
2
4CO
2
+ 2H
2
O + heat
Based on the table, cyclohexane,
phenol, ethyl acetate and ethylamine are
flammable with luminous flame while ethanol
with non-luminous flame. DCM and benzoic acid
are both non-flammable
REFERENCES
[1] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-organic-
compounds.htm
[2] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 from
http://highered.mcgraw-
hill.com/sites/dl/free/0035456775/694192/bioTP
_CH3_mgb_final_OK.pdf
[3] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 from
https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/atoms-
molecules-and-ions/organic-compounds--
2/introduction-to-hydrocarbons/
[4] Bayquen, A., Cruz, C., de Guia, R., Lampa,
F., Pea, G., Sarile, A., & Torres, P. (2009).
Laboratory Manual in Organic Chemistry.
Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc..

[5] Retrieved on September 2, 2013 from
http://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/eprints/publication_
10_5343_904.pdf

[6] Shriner, R., Hermann, C.K.F., Morrill, Curtin,
D.Y. (1998) The Systematic Identification of
Organic Compounds. 7
th
ed. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.