Distinguishing between

organic compounds
Organic substances can look
the same you must be able to
distinguish between common
compounds by comparing their
properties and performing
simple tests.
12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Common compounds
Alcohols, carboxylic acids,
alkanes, alkenes, esters
- all colourless liquids!
How could you distinguish
between them??
12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Questions you could ask:

Is it flammable?
Is it miscible with water?
Does it react with an oxidant?
Does it react with halogens?
Does it smell?
Does it behave as an acid?
12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
1. Mix with water
Miscible

Not miscible
- 2 layers
Alcohol (short Alkane
chain)
Alkene
Carboxylic
Ester
acid

12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
2. Add magnesium
Reaction
Carboxylic acid
Fizzing and
litmus will go
pink

No reaction
Alkane
Alkene
Ester
Alcohol

12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
3. Add Br2
Reaction
orange
Alkane slow
requires UV light
Alkene fast no
catalyst required

No reaction
Carboxylic acid
Ester
Alcohol

12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
4. Add Cr2O72-/H+
Reaction
orange green
Alcohol for
primary alcohols

No reaction
Carboxylic acid
Ester
Alkene
Alkane

12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
5. Carefully smell
Fruity smell
Not fruity
Ester
Carboxylic acid
* Carboxylic acid Alkene
may smell
Alkane
unpleasant
Alcohol
12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Alcohols, carboxylic acids,

alkanes, alkenes, esters
6. Carefully ignite not necessary as
other tests will identify them
flammable
Ester volatile
Alkene sooty orange
flame
Alkane clean burning
Alcohol clean burning
12 Chemistry 2.2 organic chemistry CR 07

Not flammable
Carboxylic acid