Organic Chemistry I lab CHEM 2423.

Summer II 2014.
HCC Southeast.





Alan Alexeyev

Experiment #2:
Micro Method Determination of Boiling Point of Hydrocarbons




7/10/2014

Abstract:
This experiment was about determination the boiling point of a known and unknown organic
compounds. We were given 3 known substances: pentane, cyclohexane, and hexane. During the
experiment we put the small tube, inside of which the known compound was poured, in the the
bigger 400ml beaker filled with water. Then this beaker was heated. Once the bubbles started
coming out of the tube, the heating stopped and the temperature was observed as soon as
bubbling stopped. That moment indicated boiling temperature.
Introduction and Objectives:
The purpose of the experiment was to become acquainted with the procedure of evaluating
physical properties such as boiling point. During this lab students experimented with various
organic compounds, such as pentane, cyclohexane, and hexane.
Reactants and Products:
In this lab, 3 compounds were used: pentane, cyclohexane, and hexane.
Compound Boiling Temp Hazards Precautions
Ethanol

78-79
Hazardous in case of skin
contact (irritant), of eye
contact (irritant), of
ingestion, of inhalation.
Slightly hazardous in case
of skin contact
Avoid breathing,
tasting it. Keep away
from incompatibles
such as oxidizing
agents, acids, alkalis,
moisture.
Hexane

69
Hazardous in case of eye
contact (irritant), of
ingestion, of inhalation.
Slightly hazardous in case
of skin contact (irritant)
Keep away from
sources of ignition.
Do not ingest. Do not
breathe gas/fumes/
vapor/spray. Avoid
contact with skin
Cyclohexane

80.7
Slightly hazardous in case
of skin contact (irritant,
permeator), of eye contact
(irritant), of
ingestion, of inhalation.
Keep away from
sources of ignition.
Do not ingest. Do not
breathe gas/fumes/
vapor/spray. Avoid
contact with skin
2-Propanol(isopropanol)

82-83
Very hazardous in case of
eye contact (irritant).
Hazardous in case of skin
contact (irritant, ermeator),
of ingestion, of inhalation.
Inflammation of the eye is
characterized by redness,
watering, and itching.
Keep away from
sources of ignition.
Do not ingest. Do not
breathe gas/fumes/
vapor/spray. Avoid
contact with skin
Laboratory Procedures:
Procedures and instructions were followed from the lab notebook that we prepared before the
lab and from the lab files by Dr Pahlavan.

Observations:

2. Boiling point of Unknown:
1) Trial 1: 77
2) Trial 2: 81.5
3) Trial 3: 82
Discussion and Calculations:
In this experiment, the main factor for determining the unknown compound was to identify its
boiling temperature. It was done the same way as with other known compounds. Upon knowing
the range of B.P., we concluded that that the unknown mixtures was most likely 2-propanol
(isopropanol), which BP is 82-83, and in our case its BP of was in the range 78-82 C
Overall, in this experiment we learned how to measure the boiling temperature of the organic
compounds, how to use capillary tubes, how to fill them with the chemicals. The experiment was
conducted in the safe manner. Finally, the experiment met its purposes, and the students got to
learn one more little thing about organic chemistry.

References:
1. http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927060 for MSDS data for the compounds
2. Lab Manual, Dr Pahlavan, HCC
Name Boiling Point observed B.P. theoretical
Hexane 71 69
Ethanol 80.5 78-79
Cyclohexane 82 80.7