Chemistry Lab

Discussion
1. State the identity of the unknowns, giving their general formulae.

2. Give two examples of each compound.
A functional group is a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a

particular compound. This lab aimed to identify the functional groups present in carbon
compounds, specifically carboxylic acids, amides, and aromatic amines. A carboxylic acid is an
organic acid that contains a carboxyl group attached to an R-group. It has the general formula
RCOOH. An amide is an organic compound that contains a functional group consisting of an
acyl group (R–C=O) linked to a nitrogen atom. It has the general formula RCONH2. An
aromatic amine is an organic compound consisting of an aromatic ring attached to an amine. It
has the general formula C5H6-R-NH2.
First, the solubility of samples D, E, and F was tested by adding a few drops of water to
each sample. The solution was then tested with blue litmus paper. Sample D and F both had
negative results. Sample D was insoluble, but F was soluble. However, both samples did not turn
the blue litmus paper red. Sample E, on the other hand, yielded a positive result. It dissolved in
water, and the resulting mixture turned blue litmus paper red. This indicated the presence of a
carboxylic acid, in this case, ethanoic acid. Carboxylic acids dissolve in water due to their ability
to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. The acid donates a proton from its hydroxyl
group to the water molecule, forming a hydronium ion and an acetate ion. As a result, the
concentration of H⁺ ions in the solution increases, making it acidic. Hence, the blue litmus paper
changes to red. The following reaction summarizes the hydrolysis of ethanoic acid.
CH3COOH+H2O⇌CH3COO−+H3O+
The presence of carboxylic acid was confirmed in E using the sodium carbonate solution
test. Effervescence was observed, meaning a gas evolved. This gas turned limewater cloudy,
indicating that the evolved gas was carbon dioxide. This confirmed that Sample E was a
carboxylic acid. This result is due to the carboxylic acid donating a proton to the sodium
carbonate, which forms the carbonic acid and water. The carbonic acid decomposes to form
carbon dioxide. The carboxylic acid also reacts with sodium ions to form sodium ethanoate.
The following equation represents the reaction of ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate:
2CH3COOH+Na2CO3→ 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2.
To test for amides, samples D and F were reacted with warmed Sodium Hydroxide and
tested with red litmus paper. Sample D did not produce a gas that turns red litmus paper blue,
whereas sample F did. Sample F gave a positive result, which indicated the presence of an amide
functional group. Here, the sample underwent hydrolysis. The amide bond is broken, forming a
carboxylate ion, an amine, and water. In the case of sample F, ethanamide, upon heating with
sodium hydroxide solution, ammonia gas is given off, leaving a solution containing sodium
ethanoate. The equation is as follows.
CH3CONH2 + NaOH CH3COONa + NH3
To confirm the presence of an amide group in sample F, the sodium nitrate(III) and dilute
HCl test was carried out. Effervescence was observed, which confirmed the presence of the
amide. The amide group reacts with sodium nitrite in the presence of dilute hydrochloric acid to
form acetic acid, nitrogen gas, and water. The mechanism is shown in the following equation:
NaNO2 + HCl HNO2 + NaCl
CH3CONH2 + HNO2 CH3COOH + N2 + H2O
Finally, a confirmatory test for an aromatic amine was performed on sample D. Diluted
HCL was added, which resulted in a precipitate immediately being formed which confirmed that
D was an aromatic amine. Amines act as weak bases, so it is protonated by acids to give the
anilinium ion. In this case, it reacted with HCl, forming anilinium chloride or anilinium
hydrochloride.
From the experiment, E was a carboxylic acid, F was an amide, and D was an aromatic
amine. Examples of carboxylic acids include ethanoic acid and propanoic acid. Examples of
amides are ethanamide and propanamide. Examples of aromatic amines include Aniline and 2,4
Dimethylaniline.

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Discussion

1. State the identity of the unknowns, giving their general formulae.

A functional group is a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a

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