Aim: To observe the reaction of various types of alcohols with two oxidizing agents
Apparatus and Material: Ethanol, propan-2-ol, tert-butyl alcohols, 5 test tubes, potassium dichromate solution, potassium permanganate solution, sulphuric acid, test-tube rack.
Method:
1. 2 mL of Alcohol A was placed into a test tube. 2 mL of potassium dichromate was added followed by 2 mL of dilute sulphuric acid. All observations were noted. 2. 2 mL of Alcohol A was placed into a test tube. 2mL potassium permanganate solution was added to this followed by 2 mL of dilute sulphuric acid. All observations were noted. 3. Steps 1 and 2 were repeated using Alcohol B in subsequent steps.
Observations:
TABLE SHOWING THE OBSERVATIONS OF TWO UNKNOWN ALCOHOLS WHEN
REACTED WITH POTASSIUM DICHROMATE AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE
ALCOHOL A
Reaction with Potassium Dichromate Reaction with Potassium Permanganate
- Initially the colorless solution took on - Initially the colorless solution took on the orange color of the potassium the purple color of the potassium dichromate when added. permanganate when added. - Gradually the color of the solution - Gradually the solution changes from changed from orange to a dark murky purple to a brown color. green color. - The reaction was exothermic so heat was given off from the test tube.
ALCOHOL B
Reaction with Potassium Dichromate Reaction with Potassium Permanganate
- Initially an intense blue color was - When potassium permanganate was present which eventually color added to Alcohol B it immediately got changed to a light blue green color decolourized due to how the purple color of the solution faded away as the reaction proceeded. Discussion: When primary and secondary alcohols are oxidized, the hydrogen atom linked to the -OH group is removed, and a hydrogen atom from the carbon atom is connected to the -OH group in its place. An oxidizing agent, often a solution of sodium or potassium dichromate (VI) acidified with dilute sulfuric acid 1, aids in this reaction.
Tertiary alcohols, on the other hand, do not have a hydrogen atom linked to the carbon atom that is connected to the -OH group. As a result, they cannot be oxidized in the same way as primary and secondary alcohols may. Primary alcohols can be oxidized to form aldehydes and carboxylic acids, while secondary alcohols can be oxidized to give ketones.
Conclusion: From the observations noted, it can be concluded that Alcohol A was ethanol, a primary alcohol and Alcohol B was propan-2-ol, a secondary alcohol.
Reflection: I learned a lot about the properties and behaviors of alcohol while completing the alcohol lab experiment. The project not only gave me hands-on laboratory experience, but it also expanded my understanding of the chemical reactions involved in alcohol manufacture and analysis
