EXPERIMENT 1

TEST TO DIFFERENTIATE ORGANIC FROM INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

THEORY
The basic study of Organic Chemistry is largely concerned with carbon
containing compounds, their distinction from inorganic compounds and their
chemical behavior according to the functional group(s) present in them.
Functional groups are the characteristic structural units by which we both
classify and name organic compounds.
Organic and inorganic compounds differ in their properties because they differ
in their structure and composition. In this experiment, some properties of
different organic compounds are tested and compared to inorganic compounds.
MATERIALS CHEMICALS
Alcohol lamp 70% rubbing alcohol
Dropper (3) 95% ethanol
Crucible tongs Distilled water
Test tubes (2) Acetone
Test tube rack Naphthalene
Test tube brush 1M glycerol
100mL beaker (5) 1M NaCl (aq)
Conductivity meter Sugar crystals
Evaporating dish (2) NaCl crystals
Spoon spatula (3)
25mL graduated cylinder (3)
250mL beaker
OTHER MATERIALS
Soft drink bottle cap (2)
Strips of filter paper (3)
Tissue paper
Igniter
PROCEDURES
I. Ignition Tests
A. Flammability
CAUTION: If huge flame comes up, quickly soak the paper in a beaker
of water.
1. Place 10mL of 70% rubbing alcohol in a 100mL beaker. Soak a
strip of filter paper in the alcohol and introduce it to the alcohol
lamp. Place the paper into the evaporating dish and observe
whether it is flammable or nonflammable. Take note of the color
and amount of smoke produced.
2. Repeat the test using 95% ethanol, and a pure distilled water
respectively. Compare the results obtained.
Compounds Flammability
1. 70% rubbing alcohol Flammable
2. 95% ethanol Highly Flammable
3. distilled water Not Flammable

B. Charring
CAUTION: Don't touch the hot bottle cap. Always use crucible tong.
1. Place a pinch of sucrose in a dry soft drink bottle cap (without the
rubber part). With crucible tong, heat it gently over a low flame for
a few minutes until a change is seen. Observe the nature of the
residue left after heating.
2. Repeat the test using a pinch of sodium chloride instead of
sucrose. Compare the results obtained.
Compounds Charring
1. NaCl crystal Did not met/ High Melting Point
2. Sucrose Melted (Caramelized)/Low Melting
Point
 II. Solubility Test
1. Into 2 separate test tubes, place 1mL each of distilled water and
acetone. Add a pinch of naphthalene powder to each test tube. Shake
and observe.
2. Repeat the test using a pinch of sodium chloride instead of
naphthalene. Compare the results obtained.
Compounds Distilled water Acetone
A. naphthalene powder Crystals did not Crystals completely
dissolve/ Insoluble dissolve/ soluble
B. NaCl crystal Crystals dissolve/ Crystals did not
Soluble dissolve/ Insoluble
III. Test for Electric Conductivity
1. In 5 separate 100mL beakers, place 50 mL each of 1M glycerol, 1M
sodium chloride solution, 95% ethanol, distilled water and tap water.
2. Switch on the power of a conductivity meter (see figure 1), immerse it
in each 5 solutions in a beaker and read the value. Wash the
electrode with distilled water and wipe it with a clean tissue paper
before measuring another solution. Record and compare the results.

Figure 1. Conductivity Meter

 Compounds Conductivity value
A. 1M glycerol 0.16mS/cm
B. Sucrose 20mS/cm
C. 95% ethanol 0.01mS/cm
D. Distilled water 0.01mS/cm
E. Tap water 0.38mS/cm

IV. Summary of Properties

Properties Organic Inorganic

Compounds Compounds
A. Flammability Highly Flammable Not Flammable
B. Charring (Melting point) Low Melting Point High Melting Point
Insoluble in Insoluble in Organic
Inorganic Compounds/ Soluble
C. Solubility Compounds/ in Inorganic
Soluble in Organic Compounds
Compounds
Low Conductivity High Conductivity
D. Conductivity Value/ Poor Value/ Good
Conductivity Conductivity
E. Type of bonding Covalent Bonds Ionic, Covalent, or
Metallic Bonds
QUESTIONS
1. Which is more flammable: alcohol or water?
- Alcohol is generally more flammable than water.

2. What is the black residue left after the charring test?

- The black residue left after the charring test is the solid material that
remains after a substance undergoes charring.
 3. Identify the type of bonding of naphthalene and NaCl. Give the observed
solubility of naphthalene and NaCl in both water and acetone based on
the bonds present in the solvent

4. Compare the results obtained in the conductivity test and explain.

- Naphthalene

5. How can electrolytes conduct electricity? Name some electrolytes found in

car.
- By allowing ions to move about in their solution, electrolytes conduct
electricity. And when electrolytes are dissolved in a liquid or melted, they
conduct electricity. The presence of ions inside the solution or melt
causes this conductivity. Some examples of electrolytes in a car include
the battery electrolyte, coolant, electrolyte in fuel cells, and brake fluid.

CONCLUSION
Is it important to know the observed properties to distinguish organic from
inorganic compounds?
- Yes, because distinguishing between organic and inorganic compounds
requires knowledge of the observed properties. Typically made mostly of
carbon and hydrogen, organic compounds frequently have
characteristics like flammability and the ability to form long chains and
complex structures. Inorganic compounds on the other hand, frequently
have simpler structures and distinct characteristics and may not have
carbon-hydrogen bonds.