Practical 3: Alcohol, ether and amines Aim: To prepare samples of ethanol and to investigate the chemical properties of ethanol

Material/apparatus: Glucose, cooked potatoes, mashed pineapple, rice, tapioca, mashed banana, yeast, lime water, distilled water, tap water, potassium dichromate (IV) solution, concentrated sulphuric acid, filter paper, conical flask, beaker, measuring cylinder, distillation flask, stopper with delivery tube, stopper with one hole, thermometer, Liebig condenser, fractioning column, retort stand and clamps, tripod stand, wire gauze, Bunsen burner, rubber tubing, filter funnel, boiling tube, blue litmus paper, evaporating dish, test tube holder, dropper, forceps. Procedure: A. To prepare samples of ethanol 1. About 20 g of glucose in 150 cm3 of distilled water was dissolved in a clean conical flask. 2. About 10g of yeast was added to the mixture and the mixture was shaking well. 3. The conical flask was closed with a stopper connected to a delivery. The other end of the delivery tube was dipped into lime water in a boiling tube as shown in figure 1(a). 4. The apparatus was leaved in a warm place (35 oC) for about 4-5 days. 5. The changes were observed from time to time. 6. The content of the conical flask was filtered after about 4-5 days. The filtrate was poured into a distillation flask.

7. The apparatus for distillation flask was set up as shown in figure 1 (b). 8. The filtrate was heated in water bath and the ethanol that boils over at 78 to 80 oC was collected. 9. The colour and the smell of the distillate collected were examined. 10. Steps 1-9 was repeat using cooked potatoes, mashed pineapple, rice, tapioca or mashed banana to replace glucose. B. To investigate the chemical properties of ethanol. B-1 To investigate the combustion of ethanol Procedure: 1. About 2 cm3 of the prepared ethanol was poured into an evaporating dish. 2. A lighten wooden splinter was used to ignite the ethanol (figure 2). 3. The combustibility of ethanol was noted. B-2 To investigate the oxidation of ethanol 1. About 10 cm3 of potassium permanganate solution was poured into a boiling tube. 2. About 10 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid was added into the boiling tube using a dropper. 3. About 3cm3 of ethanol was added to the mixture. 4. The apparatus was set up as shown in figure 3. 5. The boiling tube was heated carefully with a gentle flame until the mixture boils. 6. The product was smelled.

Figure 1(a): Preparation of ethanol

Figure 1(b): Set-up for distillation of ethanol

RESULT:

TEST Combustibility Colour of flame Sootiness of flame

OBSERVATION Catches fire readily Blue Non-sooty

Test on distillate Colour Smell Effect on the blue litmus paper Discussion:

Observation Colorless liquid Smell of vinegar Blue litmus paper turns red

Based on the result that we get, the ethanol posses some characteristics and advantages that differentiate it from the other liquid like catch the fire readily, have the blue colour of flame and produce no soot. Based on the test on distillate, the liquid is colourless and the smell is like vinegar. The blue litmus paper turns red when we put on the ethanol. So, the result shows that ethanol have some characteristics that differentiate it from the other liquids. The accurate result that we get is based on our techniques of handling the experiment. If we ignore some of the precaution steps, it will affect the result and expose us to the dangerous situation. Initially, before we start the experiment, we must make sure that the apparatus is washed properly. Then we must set up the apparatus correctly because this experiment involves the uses of fire from Bunsen burner. Before that, in the fermentation process, we must wash the apparatus carefully to avoid another mixture to affect the result. Before that, make sure that the fan is switch off to prevent the wind from effecting the distillation process To avoid the carbon dioxide escaped, we need to place a stopper on the conical flask. If the carbon dioxide absent, it will effect the production of the ethanol. Furthermore, to make sure the result that I get accurately, I must put the apparatus under room temperature. It is because, fermentation will occur efficiently on the temperature between 250C and 300C. At his temperature, the activity of the Zymase is at its peak.

To identify the oxidation process in this experiment, potassium permanganate is used as an indicator. The colour of the potassium permanganate will turn into colourless if the oxidation occurs. To get a faster and more accurate result, we must make sure that the measurement of the mixture is accurate by using the right method. The temperature for fractional distillation must be approximately 800C. The fractional distillation is been use to separate the mixture of chemical compound to get the pure ethanol. Conclusion: In conclusion, to get the accurate result, we must alert to some of the precaution steps that interrupt our result. We are also need to use the right way and the right method to measure the chemical substances in order to get the accurate result. The temperature that used in the fractional distillation process is approximately 800C to get the pure ethanol. Based on the result, the ethanol that we get is a pure ethanol because of the some precaution that we have done.

QUESTIONS: 1. Name the enzyme present in yeast that decomposes glucose into ethanol. The enzyme that decomposes glucose into ethanol is Zymase.

2. Write a balanced chemical equation to represent the decomposition of glucose into ethanol. C6H12O6 2C2H5OH +2CO2 3. Explain the use of fractional distillation in this experiment. Fractional distillation is used to separate the mixture into its component part or fraction. The temperature is usually higher than 250C to get to the boiling point. In this experiment, the boiling point is around 800C, so, fractional distillation is used to separate the mixture to get the ethanol. 4. Write a balanced chemical reaction to represent the combustion of ethanol. C2H5OH + 3O2 2CO2 + 3H20 5. What is the function of potassium permanganate solution in this experiment? When the oxidation occurs, the colour of potassium permanganate will change from purple to colourless. So, the function of potassium permanganate is as an indicator for the present of oxidation process.

6. Write a balanced equation to represent the oxidation of ethanol. C2H5OH CH3CHO + H20

7. Predict your observation when apparatus set-up in Figure 1 is left for more than a week. Explain your answer. The apparatus that left more than a week, will become milky cloudy. It is because of the decomposition of glucose will produce carbon dioxide. In addition, the oxygen will enter trough the apparatus and the fermentation process is disturbed. 8. Can ethanol be used as vehicle fuel? Explain your answer.

Yes. It is because of the combustion of ethanol in the engine will produce the heat that drives the piston in the engine by expanding the heated gas.