Organic Compound Tests

Question 1

What is the test for acids?

Answer 1

Add carbonate, acids will produce CO2 bubbles.

Question 2

What is a test for phenols?

Answer 2

Add FeCl3, it will produce a vivid purple colour.

Question 3

How can you test for carbonyl group? (C=O)

Answer 3

2,4-DNP, a positive result will form an orange ppt. that can be heated to measure the boiling point.

Question 4

How can you distinguish between aldehydes and ketones?

Answer 4

Add Tollen’s reagent. An aldehyde will form a silver mirror, ketones will not.

Question 5

How can you test for alkenes?

Answer 5

They decolourise bromine water.

Question 6

What is the test for Halogenoalkanes?

Answer 6

Add NaOH to remove the halide.
Add nitric acid to react with everything else.
Add Silver nitrate to test for halide ions. (White - Cl, Cream - Br, Yellow - I)

Question 7

How can you test for CH3C=O ?

Answer 7

Adding Iodine in aqueous NaOH will produce iodofirm as a yellow solid.

Question 8

How can you test for alcohols?

Answer 8

Add Acidified Manganate (purple to colourless)
OR
Add acidified dichromate (orange to green)

Question 9

How can esters be identified?

Answer 9

They are sweet smelling.