SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND LIBERAL ARTS

Baguio City

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Title: Detection of Common Elements in Organic Compounds

G1 Secretary : KEANNE VERA AMOMOY

Date performed : JANUARY 31, 2023
Experiment number : 2
Class Code : 0591L
Date submitted : FEBRUARY 6, 2023 Schedule : 7:30 – 10:30 A.M. (MT)

Name of student Total

Contribution/s Contents Remarks Score
(Alphabetically Arranged) points
ABADIER, Jed Kaye N. Data and results, Theoretical Background
Discussion
AGUDA, Saraih May D. Discussion, Questions
ALBARILLO, Windy Q. Questions TLO
ALONZO, Michaela Richelyn Data and Results
Procedures
AMOMOY, Keanne Vera T. Questions, Conclusion Data and results
AWAL, Zarita P. Questions, Conclusion
BADANG, Gwyneth Rose C. Theoretical Discussion
background,
Conclusion
BALAGSA, Shaniah Jean O. Theoretical Questions
background, TLO,
Procedures
Conclusion
Total
I. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

It is important to take note that it is essential to detect elements present in organic

compounds when analyzing them. After pure organic molecules have been produced, qualitative
analysis is utilized to determine their structure and characterization. The analysis presents crucial
data on the composition of the chemical. Because carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (in
certain situations) are the most common components present in organic compounds, they may be
recognized via analysis. Sulfur, halogens, metals, and phosphorus are identified and detected on
rare occasions using qualitative analysis.

The Lassaigne's Test is a standard method for detecting extra elements in organic
compounds. The test was named after French chemist Jean Louis Lassaigne who developed the
test. For the test, sodium metal is usually heated in the presence of the organic compound inside a
fusion tube (Vedantu, 2022). The procedure enables the organic compound to be fused with
metallic sodium, resulting in a water-soluble sodium salt. The bonding of sodium metal in this
process allows all present elements to be converted into the ionic state. Ionic compounds
constructed during the process are obtained in an aqueous solution and may be utilized in
detecting the non-carbon elements with common chemical tests. The obtained solution is known
as sodium fusion extract or Lassaigne's extract. The Lassaigne's Test is useful in detecting
nitrogen, sulfur, and other non-carbon elements such as halogens. 

For common elements in organic compounds such as carbon and hydrogen. A test
beginning with heating organic compounds with cupric oxide, where carbon and hydrogen are
usually detected, is used. A chemical reaction with carbon is oxidized to carbon dioxide, and a
hydrogen reaction to water. The lime water test is used to test carbon dioxide, whereas the
anhydrous copper sulfate test is used to test the water.

In addition, chemical tests such as the Beilstein Test will be performed. The article
regarding The Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds in 2022 mentioned that Beilstein's test
can identify halogens in organic compounds if they are present. It is a simple, sensitive, and
efficient approach for detecting halogens in organic compounds. A clean and robust copper wire
is heated in the non-luminous flame of a Bunsen burner until the flame's bluish-green or greenish
hue disappears. The wire is then submerged in the organic compound and re-exposed to the
flame. The presence of halogen in the compound is shown by the flame becoming bluish-green or
green, indicating the formation of cupric halides. Even compounds such as urea and thiourea
exhibit this test due to the formation of volatile cupric cyanide, which has some limitations. It
also does not specify which halogens are present in the chemical, such as chlorine, bromine, or
even iodine.

 
 II. OBJECTIVE (TLO)
TLO#2: Examine the composition of organic compounds and differentiate it from inorganic
compounds. 

III. PROCEDURES

A. Test for Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen 

Mix thoroughly in a mortar and pestle 0.5 gram of sugar and 1 gram of cupric oxide. Transfer the
mixture to a big, dry, hard glass test tube (test tube A), as shown in the figure. Cover the test tube
with a stopper to which it is attached a bent glass tube, its end dipping into a small test tube
containing 10 ml of clear limewater (test tube B), as shown in Figure 1. Heat the mixture gently
at first and then strongly. Observe what forms in the limewater. Remove first the delivery tube
from the limewater before the burner.

B. Test for Nitrogen 

Mix in a mortar and pestle 0.5 gram of urea and I gram of soda lime. Put the mixture in a dry test
tube and heat. While heating, place a piece of moistened red litmus paper at the mouth of the
tube. 
Note also the odor of the gas given off. Identify this gas. 

C. Test for Halogens 

1. Beilstein Test 
Heat a copper wire in the non-luminous flame until the flame is no longer green. Cool the wire
and dip in a few ml of chloroform. Heat the moistened wire in the flame. Repeat the test using
iodoform and carbon tetrachloride. 
2. Silver Nitrate Test 
Place 0.2 gram of soda lime in a dry test tube and heat to redness. Add two drops of chloroform.
Heat again, cool a little and add once more two drops of chloroform. Allow to cool and add 5 ml
of dilute nitric acid. Let it stand for a few minutes. Pipet off the clear liquid and add three drops
of silver nitrate solution. 

D. Test for Sulfur and Phosphorus

Weigh 0.2 gram of egg albumin, 0.5 gram of potassium nitrate and 0.5 gram of sodium carbonate.
Mix the three solids thoroughly in a mortar and pestle. Put the mixture in a crucible and heat
strongly until a gray or white ash is formed. Allow to cool and dissolve in 20 ml of water. Acidify
the solution with dilute nitric acid. Filter. Divide the filtrate into two portions. 
a) To one portion, test for the sulfate ion by adding 1 ml barium chloride solution. 
b) To the other portion, test for the phosphate ion by adding 5 drops of ammonium molybdate
solution. Warm gently and then cool. 
IV. DATA & RESULTS

A. Test for Carbon, Hydrogen. and Oxygen 

Result with limewater: 
A white thick cloud like precipitate formed in the limewater

What gas causes this? 

The result was caused by the gas Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

What is collected on the cooler and near the mouth of the test tube? 
A smoky substance collected on the cooler and near the mouth of the test tube

B. Test for Nitrogen 

Result on litmus paper: 
The red litmus paper turned blue

Characteristic odor of the gas given off: 

The gas produced a very pungent odor.

What gas causes this odor? 

The odor was caused by nitrogen dioxide

Write the balanced chemical equation: 

H2NCONH2 + 2NaOH = 2NH3 + Na2CO3

C. Test for Halogens

1. Beilstein Test 

Compound Result

Chloroform Initially produced a bright green flame with hints of orange and yellow

Iodoform Initially produced a faint orange color, which turned green

Carbon tetrachloride Initially produced a bright orange flame, which turned green 

2. Silver Nitrate Test

Result:
A white precipitate formed as the solution's color started to become white. The transparent
solution turned into a cloudy solution.

D. Test for Sulfur and Phosphorus 

a) Result: 
A white precipitate formed.

b) Result:
Traces of a faint yellow color can be observed collecting at the bottom of the test tube.
V. DISCUSSION: Summarize and tabulate the tests in the determination of the following elements
in organic compounds: 

Element Test Conducted Confirmatory Result

C A mixture of 0.5 gram of sugar and 1 Carbon dioxide was omitted by the test
gram of cupric oxide was transferred to a conducted, which manifested in the form
big, dry, hard glass test tube, covered of a smoky substance that formed near the
over with a stopper to which it is mouth of the test tube.
attached a bent glass tube, the mixture
was heated and its end up into a small
test tube containing 10 ml of clear
limewater.

H The hydrogen oxidized into two hydrogen

(H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom, also
known as water. 

O The reactants produced oxygen, which

reacted with carbon (that will result to
CO2) and hydrogen (that will result to
H2O), respectively.

N A mixture of 0.5 gram of urea and I The transition of the color of the red litmus
gram of soda lime was placed  in a dry paper into blue suggested the presence of
test tube and heated. While heating, a Nitrogen, which is neutral by nature.
moistened red litmus paper was placed at
the mouth of the tube.

S Sulfate ions were produced, as indicated by

the presence of the white precipitate.

As for the test tube that had ammonium

molybdate added into it, phosphate ions
were produced, as indicated by the
presence of the yellow precipitate.

X (Halogens) Once cooled, the copper wire heated  to The green color of the flame indicated the
a yellow color was soaked in chloroform presence of Copper halide.
before heating again with iodoform and
tetrachloride respectively replacing White precipitate was formed, which
chloroform.  indicated the presence of chloride ions.

In a dry test tube, 0.2 grams of soda lime

was added and heated until it became
red. Two drops of chloroform were
added before it was reheated and more
chloroform was added. Dilute nitric acid
was then added before giving it time to
stand. Three drops of silver nitrate
solution were added after having
 pipetted off the clear liquid.

VI. QUESTIONS

1. Will the detection of elements present in an organic compound help in its identification?
Explain.
Yes, the detection of elements present in an organic compound constitutes an important step in its
identification. Both carbon and hydrogen are present in nearly all organic compounds. it is
unnecessary to conduct tests to detect them since their presence can be assumed without testing.
However, because halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur are covalently bonded in organic compounds,
detection tests should be utilized. 

2. What is the purpose of the soda lime? 

Soda lime is a sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide mixture that can absorb carbon dioxide
from a given compound. As a result, soda lime can be used to test compounds for the presence of
carboxylic acid. 

3. What is the purpose of cupric oxide in this process? 

Cupric oxide is an inorganic compound that is widely known for its use of optical glass polishing
agent, pigments and works wonders as an agricultural chemical. In this experiment, making use
of cupric oxide, CO2 can be oxidized which makes the lime water form white precipitates around
the test tube, indicating that carbon is present during this process.  

4. Write an equation for the oxidation of glucose by CuO if the compound is oxidized completely
to CO2 and H2O.
C6HC6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O
5. Explain how we could prove specifically (by precipitation method) the presence of chloride,
bromide or iodide from a solution that contains halide ions. 
Three drops of silver nitrate should be added to a solution containing halide ions to demonstrate
the presence of chloride, bromide, or iodide. The halide ions present are determined by the
distinct colored silver halide precipitates that emerge from these.

Chloride ions give a white precipitate of silver chloride. This is due to the silver ions, which
combine with the chloride ions that form a precipitate of silver chloride. Bromide ions give a
cream precipitate of silver bromide because the silver ions which are combined with the bromide
ions to form a precipitate of silver bromide. At the same time, iodide ions give a yellow
precipitate of silver iodide due to the combination of silver ions and iodine ions (Rogers et al.,
n.d.).

6. Calculate by (a) % weight and (b) % mole each of the elements present in ethyl alcohol.  

Percentage composition of C2H5OH:

C2H5OH = 12.01(2) + 1.01(5) + 16.00 + 1.01 = 46.08 g/mol

C = 12.01 g/mol (2)

X 100% = 52.13%
46.08 g/mol

H = 1.01g/mol (6) X 100% = 13.15%

46.08 g/mol
O = 16.00 g/mol (1) X 100% = 34.72%
46.08 g/mol
VII. CONCLUSION

The experiment conducted introduced various methods by which compound composition

can be detected. It included an array of tests to detect the presence of halogens, nitrogen, and
sulfurs in organic compounds. Element detection is an essential step in the analysis of organic
compounds. For example, Lassaigne's test is beneficial for identifying some aspects of organic
compounds. The solution is created by heating an organic compound with a small sodium metal.
The idea is that sodium metal converts all elements present into their ionic form. The elements
identified by Lassaigne's test in organic compounds are nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

Detecting elements also creates a significant contribution to the healthcare industry. The
elemental analysis allows scientists to determine the present elements in an organic compound
and its amount. According to Moore (2022), elemental analysis can provide pertinent data about
the composition of samples related to, but not limited to, medicine and healthcare. When it comes
to organic compounds like bodily fluids, chemical compounds, potable water, minerals, soil, or
waste, elemental analysis can provide valuable information that can be used to report to experts
about a person's or an environment's health, the safety and quality of water resources, and the
chemical nature of the physical world.
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