UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA BARATON

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS

A LAB REPORT WRITTEN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE OF COURSE

GENERAL CHEMISTRY II: CHEM 122

LAB NO: 2

TOPIC: HYDROCARBONS

Group A
Objectives

1. To differentiate between alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons based on their

chemical reactivity.

2. To observe the reaction of hydrocarbons with bromine water under different conditions.

3. To determine the oxidation properties of hydrocarbons using potassium permanganate.

4. To assess the solubility and reactivity of hydrocarbons with sulfuric acid.

5. To analyze the substitution versus addition reactions of aromatic hydrocarbons.

6. To develop a method for identifying unknown hydrocarbons based on experimental

results.

7. To reinforce the relationship between structure and chemical behavior in organic

chemistry.

Introduction

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen, classified into

alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Alkanes are saturated compounds with single

bonds, while alkenes and alkynes contain double and triple bonds, respectively, making them

unsaturated. Aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene and toluene, contain delocalized

electrons in a cyclic structure. These structural differences influence their chemical properties

and reactions. This experiment aimed to study the fundamental reactions of these

hydrocarbons with bromine water, potassium permanganate, and sulfuric acid to determine

their chemical behavior and identify unknown hydrocarbons.

The study involved testing alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons in dry test tubes under

controlled conditions. Bromine water was used to distinguish alkanes from alkenes through

substitution or addition reactions. Potassium permanganate was used as an oxidizing agent to

determine the presence of double bonds. Sulfuric acid was added to assess solubility and

reactivity differences. Aromatic hydrocarbons were tested for substitution reactions with

bromine.

Procedure

1. Bromine or Chlorine Water Test

A 1 mL portion of cyclohexane was placed into two separate test tubes. About 10-15

drops of bromine or chlorine water were added to each tube. One tube was kept in the

dark, while the other was exposed to sunlight or bright light for a few minutes. The color

changes were observed and recorded. A moist blue litmus paper was held at the mouth of

each tube to test for the presence of hydrogen bromide or hydrogen chloride. The same

procedure was repeated with 1 mL of cyclohexene in a clean test tube, and the results

were recorded.

2. Aqueous Potassium Permanganate (Baeyer's Test)

Two test tubes were prepared, each containing 5 mL of potassium permanganate solution.

About five drops of an alkane were added to one tube, while five drops of an alkene were

added to the other. The tubes were shaken well for 1-2 minutes, and any color change

was observed and noted.

Two separate test tubes were prepared, each containing 2 mL of concentrated sulfuric

acid. About 10 drops of an alkane were added to one tube, and 10 drops of an alkene

were added to the other. The tubes were shaken thoroughly, and solubility or any reaction

was noted. The contents were then safely discarded by pouring them into a beaker

containing at least 50 mL of water.

4. Reaction of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Bromine

A small test tube was filled with 1 mL of toluene. In another test tube, a few iron filings

were added, followed by 1 mL of toluene, ensuring the toluene rinsed down any filings

sticking to the walls. Three drops of bromine were added to both tubes, which were then

placed in a beaker of warm water for 15 minutes. Any color change and the evolution of

hydrogen bromide were observed and recorded.

5. Reaction of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Potassium Permanganate

A test tube containing 1 mL of toluene was prepared, and 2 mL of dilute (2.0% w/w)

potassium permanganate solution was added. The tube was shaken, and any observable

changes in color or reaction were recorded.

Results

1. Bromine or Chlorine Water Test

Cyclohexane: When bromine or chlorine water was added to cyclohexane, there was no

immediate color change in the dark. Upon exposure to sunlight or bright light, the solution

gradually decolorized, indicating a slow substitution reaction typical of alkanes. The moist blue
litmus paper held at the mouth of the tube showed no significant change, suggesting minimal

evolution of hydrogen halides.

Cyclohexene: The addition of bromine or chlorine water to cyclohexene resulted in an immediate

decolorization of the solution, indicating a rapid addition reaction characteristic of alkenes. The

moist blue litmus paper turned red, confirming the evolution of hydrogen halides.

2. Aqueous Potassium Permanganate (Baeyer's Test)

Alkane (e.g., Cyclohexane): Upon adding five drops of the alkane to potassium permanganate

solution and shaking for 1-2 minutes, there was no observable change; the purple color of the

permanganate persisted, indicating no reaction.

Alkene (e.g., Cyclohexene): When five drops of the alkene were added to potassium

permanganate solution and shaken, the purple color rapidly disappeared, and a brown precipitate

of manganese dioxide formed, indicating the oxidation of the alkene to a diol.

3. Sulfuric Acid Test

Alkane (e.g., Cyclohexane): After adding about 10 drops of the alkane to concentrated sulfuric

acid and shaking, there was no noticeable reaction; the two liquids remained separate, indicating

the alkane's inertness to sulfuric acid.

Alkene (e.g., Cyclohexene): Upon adding about 10 drops of the alkene to concentrated sulfuric

acid and shaking, the solution became homogeneous, indicating the formation of an alkyl

hydrogen sulfate, a reaction typical of alkenes.

4. Reaction of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Bromine

tube in warm water for 15 minutes, there was no significant color change, and no hydrogen

bromide evolution was detected, indicating that toluene did not react under these conditions.

Toluene with Iron Filings: In the presence of iron filings, the addition of bromine to toluene

followed by warming resulted in the decolorization of the bromine solution, and the evolution of

hydrogen bromide was observed, indicating a substitution reaction facilitated by the catalyst.

5. Reaction of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Potassium Permanganate

Toluene: When toluene was mixed with dilute potassium permanganate solution and shaken,

there was no observable reaction; the purple color of the permanganate remained, indicating that

toluene is resistant to oxidation under these conditions.

Discussion

The experiment successfully demonstrated the differences in chemical reactivity among

alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, confirming their distinct chemical properties.

Alkanes, being saturated hydrocarbons, exhibited little to no reactivity with bromine water in the

absence of light, but under UV exposure, a slow substitution reaction occurred, leading to the

formation of a haloalkane and hydrogen bromide. This slow reaction rate confirms the stability

of alkanes due to the strong C-H and C-C single bonds.Alkenes, classified as unsaturated

hydrocarbons, readily reacted with bromine water through an addition reaction, leading to

immediate decolorization of the solution. This rapid reaction is characteristic of alkenes, as their

carbon-carbon double bonds make them more reactive than alkanes. Additionally, alkenes

reacted with potassium permanganate, which changed from purple to brown, indicating oxidation
—a reaction that did not occur with alkanes. The difference in reactivity confirmed the presence

of double bonds in alkenes and served as a useful test for distinguishing them from alkanes.

Aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, displayed unique reactivity patterns due to their

delocalized π-electron system. Unlike alkenes, toluene did not undergo an addition reaction with

bromine water unless a catalyst, such as iron filings, was present. Instead, a substitution reaction

occurred, consistent with the known behavior of aromatic compounds, which favor electrophilic

substitution over addition. Similarly, the lack of reactivity with potassium permanganate

demonstrated the stability of the benzene ring in toluene, further distinguishing aromatic

hydrocarbons from alkenes.The results aligned with theoretical predictions and provided

practical insights into hydrocarbon reactivity. The experiment emphasized the significance of

functional group identification through chemical tests, which are essential in organic chemistry

for determining compound structures and properties. Any experimental deviations, such as

incomplete decolorization of bromine or slow reactions, may have been due to impurities,

variations in reagent concentration, or reaction conditions.

Conclusion

This experiment effectively differentiated alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons

based on their chemical reactions. Alkanes demonstrated low reactivity, requiring UV light to

undergo substitution reactions with bromine. Alkenes, in contrast, reacted readily with bromine

via addition and with potassium permanganate through oxidation, confirming the presence of

double bonds. Aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, resisted addition reactions but underwent

substitution when a catalyst was introduced, highlighting their unique stability. These findings

reinforce the fundamental principles of hydrocarbon chemistry and the importance of chemical

testing in identifying organic compounds. The experiment provided practical applications for
distinguishing between different hydrocarbon classes, demonstrating their reactivity trends, and

reinforcing key concepts in organic chemistry. Future studies could further explore reaction

mechanisms or expand testing to additional hydrocarbons to deepen understanding of their

chemical behaviors.

Answers to Questions

1. Reactions of organic compounds with given reagents:

Alkane + Br2 (dark): No reaction, bromine color remains.

Alkene + Br2: Addition reaction, decolorization occurs.

Aromatic hydrocarbon + Br2 (with Fe catalyst): Substitution reaction, bromine color fades

slowly.

2. Distinguishing octane and 1-hexene:

Bromine Water Test: Octane retains bromine color in the dark, while 1-hexene decolorizes

bromine instantly.

Potassium Permanganate Test: Octane remains purple, while 1-hexene turns brown.

Sulfuric Acid Test: Octane remains insoluble, while 1-hexene forms a soluble product.

3. Identification of the unknown hydrocarbon:

The compound did not react with sulfuric acid or potassium permanganate and only decolorized

bromine with a catalyst. This indicates it is an aromatic hydrocarbon, likely toluene.

This experiment aimed to investigate the chemical reactions of different classes of

hydrocarbons—alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons—by testing their reactivity with

bromine water, potassium permanganate, and sulfuric acid. The reactions were used to

distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, as well as to observe the

substitution and addition reactions typical of these compounds.

The results showed that alkanes, such as cyclohexane, remained largely unreactive under

normal conditions but underwent a slow substitution reaction with bromine under light. Alkenes,

like cyclohexene, readily reacted with bromine, resulting in immediate decolorization, and also

reacted with potassium permanganate, leading to the disappearance of the purple color and the

formation of a brown precipitate. The reaction with sulfuric acid confirmed the difference in

reactivity, as alkenes dissolved while alkanes did not.

Aromatic hydrocarbons, exemplified by toluene, demonstrated resistance to bromine

addition unless a catalyst (iron filings) was used, leading to a substitution reaction instead.

Additionally, toluene did not react with potassium permanganate under normal conditions,

confirming its stability.

Overall, the experiment provided insight into the distinct chemical behavior of

hydrocarbons and how their structural differences influence reactivity. The observations

confirmed expected theoretical predictions and helped differentiate between alkanes, alkenes,

and aromatic hydrocarbons based on their reactions.

References
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3. Smith, J. G. (2021). Organic Chemistry (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

4. Bruice, P. Y. (2017). Organic Chemistry (8th ed.). Pearson.

5. Vollhardt, K. P. C., & Schore, N. E. (2018). Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function

(8th ed.). W. H. Freeman.

6. Solomons, T. W., Fryhle, C. B., & Snyder, S. A. (2017). Organic Chemistry (12th ed.).

Wiley.

7. Loudon, M., & Parise, J. (2016). Organic Chemistry (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.