M. E. Biolena / Chemistry 31.

1 (2019) P a g e |1

Experiment 1: Solubility of Organic Compounds

Mikaela E. Biolenaa*,, Bianca G. Estanislaoa
aInstitute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Performed 14 August 2019; Submitted 23 August 2019

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1. Account for the solutes that dissolved in the given solvent by identifying the intermolecular forces of
attraction involved.
COMPOUND NAME SOLVENT IMFA
(A) Phenol NaOH Hydrogen-bonding
(B) Benzoic Acid NaHCO3 London-dispersion
(D) Sucrose Water Hydrogen-bonding
(E) Aniline HCl London-dispersion
(F) Acetone Water Hydrogen-bonding
(F) Acetone Diethyl ether London-dispersion
(G) Benzaldehyde H2SO4 London-dispersion

2. Write the balanced equations involved for solutes that dissolved with the given solvent. Draw the organic
compounds using bond-line structures.

3. Determine the best solvent to differentiate the following pairs of compounds based on their predicted
solubility.

a. CH3NH2 and CH3(CH2)5NH2

Between methylamine and hexylamine, water would be a useful solvent to identify them because the longer
the chain, the more difficult it is to be soluble.

*Mikaela E. Biolena. Mobile: 09297038690

E-mail address: hiddles29biolena@gmail.com
 M. E. Biolena / Chemistry 31.1 (2019) P a g e |2

b. phenol and CH3(CH2)5COOH [Carboxylic acid]

Since both are soluble in water, the best solvent to use would be the 5% NaHCO 3 as phenols do not
react with it to from water-soluble salts contrast to carboxylic acid. [1]

c. p-xylene and benzaldehyde

Both are insoluble in water so the best solvent would be H2SO4. Benzaldehyde is an aldehyde which,
according to Cengage Learning Web, is soluble in H2SO4. P-xylene on the other hand is an aromatic compound
insoluble to H2SO4. [1]

d. chloroform and tert-butanol

Water in this case would be a great determining solvent. Tert-butanol is capable of forming h-bonds
with water due to its -OH substituent therefore making it miscible to water unlike chloroform which is a nonpolar
compound. [3]

e. glucose and n-butanol

Diethyl ether would be the best solvent. Since both are soluble in water, the next test would be
solubility in ether. From the experiment, Sucrose, which is a polymeric carbohydrate like Glucose is insoluble in
ether thus making Glucose insoluble as well. On the other hand, n-butanol dissolves in ether which differentiates
it from the Glucose. [1] [4]

REFERENCES

[1] Identifying an Unknown Compound by Solubility, Functional Group Tests and Spectral Analysis. Cengage
Learning. Web. Retrieved: Aug 2019.

[2] Material Safety Data Sheet. Benzaldehyde Pure. Sisco Research Laboratories PVT. LTD. Bio.vu.nl. Web.
Retrieved: Aug 2019.

[3] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0078". National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). Web. Retrieved: Aug 2019.

[4] Safety Data Sheet. n-Butanol. 2005. “ICSC: 0111”. IPCS INCHEM. Web. Retrieved: Aug 2019.