Discussion:

A hydrocarbon is an organic compound that contains hydrogen and oxygen atoms only. There are
two types of hydrocarbons which constitutes of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Saturated
hydrocarbons have the functional group of the carbon-carbon single bond and consists of all the
Alkanes. Hexane is an alkane with chemical formula of C6H14 and structural formula of:

(draw structural formula)

Unsaturated hydrocarbons have the functional group of the carbon-carbon double bond and consists
of all the Alkenes. Hexene is and alkene with the chemical formula of C6H12 and structural formula
of:

(draw structural formula)

When the acidified potassium manganate (VII) was added to the Hexane, the solution remained
purple as the alkanes do not undergo addition reaction with acidified potassium manganate (VII).
When it was added to the Hexene, the solution changed colour rapidly from purple to colourless, as
a redox reaction is occurring. The hexene acts as the reducing agent, reducing the purple MnO^4- ion
to the colourless Mn^+2 ion. The entire reaction is given by the equation below:

(equation in book)

An additional test that can be used to distinguish between an alkane and an alkene is by adding a
solution of bromine water or tetrachloromethane under standard laboratory conditions. With the
Alkane, there would be no colour change and the solution would remain red-brown. With the
Alkene, the solution would rapidly change colour from red-brown to colourless, as the alkene
undergo rapid addition reaction with bromine solution.

Reflection:

In conducting this lab, I learnt how to classify substances are either being an alkane or an alkene.
Hexane is an alkane while Hexene is an Alkene. I also learnt how to distinguish between an alkene
and an alkane by using the reagent, acidified potassium manganate (VII) by observing certain colour
changes the reagent underwent. With the Alkanes, the reagent underwent no colour change which
implies that Alkanes are least reactive hydrocarbons. With the Alkenes, the reagent underwent a
colour change from purple to colourless, which implies that Alkenes are more reactive hydrocarbons.
Alkenes undergo addition reactions, and combustion reactions, while alkanes undergo substitution
reactions, combustion reactions and cracking. In knowing how to distinguish between an alkane and
an alkene, it can help in the oil industry to allow the scientists to classify the substances as either
being an alkane or on alkene, so that they can determine which methods are the best to obtain other
chemicals from the alkanes or alkenes.

Conclusion:

Hexane is a saturated hydrocarbon and Hexene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon.