Lab: # 13

Date: May 13, 2021

Topic: Saturated and unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Problem Statement:
Miss Thomas has two beakers, one containing hexane solution and the other
containing cyclohexene solution. However, she forgot to label the beakers and
since both are colorless solutions she has no idea which is which. Miss. Thomas is
convinced that she will just have to throw away the content of the beakers because
she has no way of knowing which solution is in both beakers. Miss Thomas was
told that she can use acidified potassium permanganate and bromine water to
differentiate between the two solutions. Plan and design an experiment to
distinguish between hexane and cyclohexene.
Hypothesis: Cyclohexane and cyclohexene have different chemical properties
Aim: To Identify Alkenes and Alkane by their reaction to Acidified Potassium
Permanganate and Bromine Water
Materials/ Apparatus: 2 Test tubes, Dropper, Acidified Potassium Permanganate,
alkene and alkane, Tube rack, paper, Bromine water.
Drawing

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE SETUP OF THE APPARATUS

Method
1. Label four test tube A to B respectively
2. In test tube A and B add 10ml of one compound and to B and C add
10ml of the other compound.
3. Add 5-6 drops of aqueous potassium permanganate to test tube A and
C.
4. Add 5-6 drops of bromine water to test tube B and C, leave for 10
minutes.
5. Observe and record the results.
Variables:
Controlled – color change.
Manipulated: acidified Potassium Permanganate and Bromine water.
Responding: The test tube C and D containing the alkene will have a reaction and
decolorize and the test tubes A and B containing alkane solution will have no color
change.
Expected results:

Compounds Results
A No color change
B No color change
C Change to colorless
D Change to colorless

Limitations:
1. Human error, measuring incorrectly.
2. Inconsistent sampling techniques