Question

2) You just been given an unknown organic liquid and told that it is either propanal, cyclohexanone, or butylamine. Name ONE chemical test("odor" is NOT a chemical test because it is much too subjective) you could perform on the unknown to prove it was propanal, AND state what would you observe in that test to support your answer. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR OBSERVATIONS. Name ONE chemical test (A DIFFERENT TEST FROM THE ONE YOU JUST NAMED ABOVE) you could perform on the unknown to prove it was cyclohexanone, AND state would you observe in that test to support your answer. "Odor" is NOT a chemical test because it is much too subjective. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR OBSERVATIONS. Name ONE chemical test("odor" is NOT a chemical test because it is much too subjective) you could perform on the unknown to prove it was butylamine, AND state what would you observe in that test to support your answer. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR OBSERVATIONS,

Answer 1

To prove that the given liquid is propanol, Victor Meyer test can be done. In this test, the unknown liquid is treated with cold hydriodic acid followed by treatment with silver nitrite , nitrous acid and addition of sodium hydroxide. Presence of red colour indicates the presence of 1-propanol (a primary alcohol) whereas if the colour is blue it shows the compound is 2-propanol (a secondary alcohol).

To prove that the given liquid is cyclohexanone, Borche's reagent test can be carried out. In this test, the unknown liquid is dissolved in ethanol/methanol and treated with Borche's reagent (2,4- dinitropheylhydrazine), shaken well and kept for a few minutes. Presence of orange precipitate confirms the presence of cyclohexanone.

To prove that the given liquid is butylamine, Carbylamine test can be done. In this test, the unknown liquid is heated with chloroform and caustic potash. Offensive smell of isocyanide confirms the presence of butylamine.