Matter and sustainability Laboratory

Practice # 3. Identification of alcohols

Name________________________________________________________________ ID___________
Name ________________________________________________________________ ID___________
Name ________________________________________________________________ ID___________
OBJECTIVE
Observe the oxidation reaction with KMNO4, distillation and solubility in water for different alcohols.

INTRODUCTION
Alcohols form a family of organic compounds characterized by their hydroxyl ( -OH) functional group
which gives their characteristic physical and chemical properties, from a structural point of view
alcohols are divided in three types.

When the functional group is connected to an aromatic ring, these compounds are called phenols.
Ethanol or ethylic alcohol is the most commonly used, it is obtained through the fermentation of
carbohydrates and it’s the main constituent of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol CH3-CH2-OH
Altered alcohol is employed in industry and commercial sectors as well as with other substances
added substances, which doesn’t allow for being ingested. Methanol or methyl alcohol is highly toxic.
Methanol: CH3- OH
MATERIAL.
QUANTITY MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT REAGENTS
5 Micropipettes Methanol
5 Test tubes Ethanol
1 Micro spatula Isopropanol
1 Distillation apparatus Terbutyl Alcohol
Amyl alcohol (pentanol)
KMnO4

PROCEDURE:
OXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS

To the test tubes that contains KMNO4 add de following alcohols. Wait around 20-30 minutes to see the
reaction and record the results on the line.

ethanol:

isopropanol:

Tertbutyl alcohol:
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
Fill the following table with the information that is requested.
In the test tube add 10 drops of the alcohol and 10 drops of water.

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Matter and sustainability Laboratory

Solubility in water
Alcohol Formula Physical aspect

Methanol

Ethanol

Isopropanol

Tertbutyl alcohol

Amyl alcohol

DISTILLATION.

Distillation of________________ (Indicate the type of beverage)

Characteristics of the alcoholic mixture: (color, smell, ABV (Alcohol By Volume), etc.)

a) Color: _____________________
b) Smell: _________________________
c) ABV ________________

Set the apparatus like in the figure. Heat the container that has the alcoholic mixture until the end of the
distillation process.

Write down your observations:

Boiling point _ __ , color of distillation_ _ _ _, smell:_ _ __ __ _ __ ______

INVESTIGATION.

Mention the resources where you can obtain ethanol:

MATERIAL YOU HAVE TO WASH: -None

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