ACTIVITY 3

Properties of Organic Compounds

Boiling and Melting point

Boiling point is defined as the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the substance
equals the pressure of the atmosphere above it. At this temperature, thermal energy overcomes
the intermolecular attractive forces holding the liquid molecules together so that they are
separated and escape into the atmosphere in the form of gaseous molecules.

The boiling point of a substance is physical constant that can be used in the identification
and characterization as well as a criterion of its purity. Pure compounds have constant boiling
points whereas mixtures show a boiling point range, except those special constant – boiling ones
called azeotropes.

The melting point of a solid substance is the temperature at which the solid becomes liquid.
At this temperature, molecular motion due to increased thermal energy is enough to break down
the lattice structure of the crystal. This temperature, for a given crystal, would remain constant
until all the solid phase change to liquid.

Pure crystalline solids normally have sharp melting points. They undergo transition over a
temperature range of 1o or less. On the other hand, impure crystalline solids usually melt over a
much wider range of temperature. Thus, melting point range, like the boiling point of a
crystalline compound, is frequently used as an index of its purity.

Reagents and Materials:

For boiling point activity:

For melting point activity:
2ml n-butyl alcohol
2ml tert- butyl alcohol 0.5g benzoic acid
2ml n-amyl alcohol 0.5g salicylic acid
2ml sec-amyl alcohol 4pcs. Capillary tubes (1mm.diam.)
Cooking oil Cooking oil
Bunsen burner 200oC thermometer w/ cork
4 big test tubes Bunsen burner
4 percolator cup 1 iron clamp
2 iron clamps String
200oC thermometer w/ cork
Part I: Boiling point determination
Procedure:
1. Prepare the set – up of apparatus for boiling point determination. (see diagram given)
2. Place separately in 3 dry test tubes small amounts of: tert- butyl alcohol, n- butyl alcohol,
n-amyl alcohol and sec-amyl alcohol respectively, each reaching a height of 1cm. inside
the test tube
3. Insert the dry, clean percolator cup into the test tube containing n-butyl and place the test
tube into the oil bath. Clamp it so that its bottom does not touch the bottom of the beaker.
4. Adjust the height of the thermometer so that the mercury bulb is 2 – 3mm. away from the
opening of the percolator cup. Have the set – up approved by your instructor.
5. Heat with a moderate flame, and then gradually adjust to make it stronger so as to cause a
rise in temperature of 1o to 2o per minute.
6. Stir the oil bath continuously to have a uniform heating.
7. Record the temperature at which the compound starts to boil (initial temp.) and the
temperature (final temperature) at which it boils constantly.
Note: do not put off the flame when the liquid starts to boil. Continue heating until
after the constant boiling temperature has been recoded.
8. Repeat boiling point determinations with : tert – butyl, n- amyl and sec – amyl alcohol
Note: Always start with a cool oil bath. Record the data in tabulated form.

Part II: Melting point determination

Procedure:
1. Prepare 2 melting point capillary tubes in following manner:
a. Heat the end portion of the capillary tube to seal one end.
b. Test if each capillary tube is completely sealed on one end by blowing air on the open
end, and feeling with the fingers if air comes out from the sealed end. If air comes out,
the end should be heated further to completely seal it.
2. Introduce powdered samples of benzoic acid and salicylic acid into three separate
prepared capillary tubes. This can be done by putting a small amount of sample (about 3
– 4mm in diameter) on a piece of clean dry paper, and pushing the open end of the
capillary tube into the sample to scoop it up. The sample may be shaken down to the
bottom by tapping on the side with the fingers, dropping the tube vertically into a hard
surface several times, or the sample may be pushed to the bottom using a fine needle.
Whichever method is done to introduce the sample, the column of solid should not be
more than 1cm. in the tube length and it should be tightly packed.
3. Prepare the set – up for the melting point determination (refer to the diagram)
4. Fasten the capillary tube containing benzoic acid to the thermometer with a string or a
rubber band so that the sample is close to and on a level with the center of the
thermometer bulb. Attach the thermometer in its place in the set – up where the bulb and
the capillary tube (with sample) is centered in the beaker and submerged in the oil.
 5. Have the set – up approved by your instructor.
6. Heat the oil bath with a moderate flame. Then gradually increase the size of the flame so
as to cause a rise in temperature of 1o to 2o per minute.
7. Stir the oil bath continuously to have a uniform heating.
8. Record a) the temperature at which melting begins and b) the temperature when the entire
1 cm. powdered sample in the capillary tube is completely melted.
9. Determine also the melting point of salicylic acid. Note: always start with a cool oil
bath. Record the results obtained. Complete the table by looking up in a reference book
the correct melting points (lit.) of the compounds.

Questions: Boiling point

1. What are azeotropes or azeotropic mixtures?
2. What indications do the experimental results give regarding the purity of the sample used?
3. What may happen to the boiling point of a substance if there are impurities present?
Explain.
4. What are the types of intermolecular attractive that hold molecules together?
Differentiate them.
5. How do these intermolecular forces affect the boiling point of a liquid?

Questions: Melting point

1. What is the effect of an impurity on the melting point of a substance?
2. How can the melting point and boiling point determination be used in identifying and/or
characterizing unknown compounds?
Name Date

Group no.

Activity 2
Properties of Organic Compounds
Boiling and Melting point

I. Boiling point determination

Test Compound Observed Boiling Boiling Point (lit.) Explanation for
Point in oC observed boiling
point

n – butyl alcohol

tert – butyl alcohol

n – amyl alcohol

sec – amyl alcohol

II. Melting point determination

Test Compound Observed Melting Melting Point (lit.) Explanation for
Point in oC observed melting
point

Benzoic acid

Salicylic acid