1. Why is water solubility the first test to run?

Water solubility test is done first because it is easy, fast and cheap way to determine if the substance is
polar or not which helps to narrow down the identification process quicker

2. Describe how characteristic acidic and basic functional groups are identified for each solubility
test. What information can be gathered from a positive or a negative test result?

Water solubility test:

Positive means the unknown sample contains Small polar organic compounds (Alcohols, Aldehydes,
Ketones, Amines, Carboxylic Acids, and a few Phenols)

Negative means the unknown sample contains Large Alcohols, Aldehydes, Ketones, Amines, Carboxylic
Acids, and Phenols. It can also mean the presence of Alkanes, Alkyl Halides, and Alkenes

After which it has been tested to be Positive, it is tested with pH paper to determine if it is acidic or not.
A pH of 4 indicates a carboxylic acid while a pH of 8 indicates an amine.

5% Sodium Hydroxide S. Test:

Positive means the unknown sample reacted with NaOH to form their salts and dissolve in aqueous
solution; these are carboxylic acids and phenols.

Negative means the unknown sample contains non-acidic compounds.

5% Sodium Bicarbonate S. Test:

Positive means the unknown sample contains strongly acidic compounds such as carboxylic acid to form
water-soluble salts. The presence of tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide is observed.

Negative means the unknown sample contains Phenols which are less acidic than carboxylic acid

5% Hydrocloric Acid S. Test:

Positive means the unknown sample contains an amine (an organic base)

Negative means the unknown sample usually contains Alkanes, Alkenes, Alcohol, Aldehydes, Ketones and
Alkyl Halides

Conc. Sulfuric Acid S. Test:

Positive means the unknown sample most likely contains an alkene functional groups or oxygen or
nitrogen atoms

Negative means the unknown sample contains Alkanes, Alkyl Halides and some aromatic compounds
 3. Provide general chemical reactions for all positive solubility test results to demonstrate how a
specific functional group can dissolve or react in an aqueous solution.

5% Sodium Hydroxide Test:

5% Sodium Bicarbonate S. Test:

5% Hydrocloric Acid S. Test: