Experiment 2 : Hydrocarbons

Objectives :

After completing this experiment, students should have learned :

1. The physical properties of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.
2. The chemical reactions of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.
3. To differentiate alkanes, alkenes and alkynes based on their physical and chemical
properties.

Theory :

a) Alkane

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbon because they contain only single bones between
carbon atoms. Like most organic compounds, the alkanes are combustible. The products
of their complete combustion are carbon dioxide and water. The reactions of the alkanes
are of the substitution type ; that is some atom or group of atoms is substituted for one or
more of the hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon molecule.

CH4 + Br2 CH3Br + HBr

Methane Ultraviolet Methyl bromide

b) Alkenes

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbon because they contain a carbon-carbon double bond
in their structures. The functional group for alkenes is the carbon-carbon double bond
(C=C) ; it is a point of high reactivity. Alkenes undergo addition-type reactions which are
the other groups are added to the double bond, causing the molecule to be saturated.
CH2 = CH2 + Br2 CH2 CH2

Br Br

The disappearance of the red-brown color of free bromine can be the evidence to the
reactions. Other reactions of olefin also show that increased reactivity of the alkenes over
the alkanes.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be oxidized by potassium permanganate. The reaction is

called Baeyar test for saturation. The evidence that reactions has occurred is the rapid
disappearance of the purple colour of the permanganate ion. Potassium permanganate is a
very strong oxidizing agent and gives similar results when reacted with other oxidizable
substances, such as alcohols.

c) Alkynes

These unsaturated hydrocarbons are also called acetylene. Alkynes contain a carbon-
carbon triple bond in their structures. Acetylene can be prepared from calcium carbide
and water. Mixtures of acetylene and air are explosive. The alkynes undergo addition-
type reactions similar to those of the alkenes.
Results :

A) COMBUSTION
0RGANIC COMPOUND COLOUR OF FLAME RESIDUE
Heptane No sooty flame None (all used)
Cyclohexene Sooty flame Oily left

B) SOLUBILITY OF HYDROCARBON

ORGANIC COMPOUND WATER 1- BUTANOL

Heptane 1. Insoluble 1. Soluble
2. The mixture forming 2. Forming unicous
2 layers mixture
Cyclohexene 1. In soluble 1. Soluble
2. The forming of 2 2. None layer formed.
layers.

C) ACTION OF BROMINE IN 1,4 – DIOXANE ON HYDROCARBONS

ORGANIC COMPOUND DARK LIGHT

Heptane 1. No reaction occur 1. Reaction occur
2. Bromine color does 2. Bromine color
not change. decolorized.
Cyclohexene 1. No bromine color 1. No reaction occur.
decolorized 2. Bromine color does
not change.

D) REACTION OF HYDROCARBON WITH POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

ORGANIC COMPOUND COLOR OF POTTASIUM PERMANGANATE

Heptane 1. Change from purple to green precipitate
Cyclohexene A) Change from purple to dark brown
B) Slightly decolorized

E) CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACETLYENE

ORGANIC COMPOUND BROMIN IN 1,4- POTASSIUM

DIOXANE PERMANGANATE
Acetlyene 1. Transparent / 1. Dark brown
colorless solution solution formed
formed

Discussions :

a) CH3CH2C ≡ CCH3 + O2

b) CH3CH2CH = CHCH3 + O2

c) CH3

heat,
KMNO4

CH3

d) CH(CH3)2

heat

KMNO4

e)

heat

KMNO4
f) CH2

Br2
1,4 - dioxane

g)
Br2
C ≡ CH
1,4 - dioxane

h) CH3CH2CH = CHCH2CH = CH2 Br2

1,4 - dioxane