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Baeyers Test for

Unsaturation
REACTION OF COLD, DILUTE POTASSIUM
PERMANGANATE SOLUTION WITH UNSATURATED
HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS

Contents
I. Introduction
II. Objectives
III. Reagents & Equipment
IV. Procedure
V. Data & Results
VI. Analysis

Definition of Terms
Hydrocarbons are the simplest organic compounds.
Contain only carbon and hydrogen.
They can be straight-chain, branched chain, or
cyclic molecules.
Carbon tends to form four bonds in a tetrahedral
geometry.
Hydrocarbon derivatives are formed when there
is a substitution of a functional group at one or
more of these positions.

definition of terms
Alkanes are hydrocarbon compounds whose
molecules contain carbon-carbon single bonds.
All have the general formula CnH2n+2 where n is
any integer. They are often referred to as saturated
hydrocarbons because their molecules contain the
maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms per
carbon atom, and because they consist only of
carbon and hydrogen.

Alkenes are hydrocarbon compounds whose

molecules contain one or more carbon-carbon
double bonds. They are often referred to as being
unsaturated because the presence of a double
bond means that they lack hydrogen atoms as
compared with related alkanes. The general
formula for alkenes is CnH2n.

Introduction

Two common qualitative tests for

unsaturation are the reaction of the
compounds with bromine in carbon
tetrachloride and with potassium
permanganate. In both cases a positive
test is denoted by decolorization of the
reagent.

A. Bromine Addition
When a dilute solution of bromine in water (or
carbon tetrachloride) is mixed with an alkane, no
reaction occurs due to the inertness of saturated
hydrocarbon compounds to bromine. The brown
colour of the bromine remains. Mixing the same
bromine solution with an alkene or alkyne results in
the rapid disappearance of the brown colour of the
bromine, until a colourless mixture is obtained.

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Baeyers Test
Potassium Permanganate
A second qualitative test for unsaturation, the
Baeyer test, depends on the ability of potassium
permanganate to oxidize the carbon-carbon double
bond to give alkanediols or the carbon-carbon triple
bond to give carboxylic acids

The permanganate is destroyed in the reaction,

and a brown precipitate of MnO2 is produced. The
disappearance of the characteristic color of the
permanganate ion is a positive test for
unsaturation. However, care must be taken, since
compounds containing certain other types of
functional groups (for example, aldehydes,
containing the --CH=O group) also decolorize
permanganate ion.

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 The Baeyer reagent is a cold dilute aqueous

solution of potassium permanganate which is a
deep purple color.
Potassium permanganate does not react with
alkanes because they are saturated (single
bonds which are all taken).
When it is added to alkanes the purple color
does not change.

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 When it is added to an alkene, the purple color

slowly disappears and a brown MnO2 precipitate
forms. The appearance of the brown
precipitate indicates a positive test for
unsaturation.
Purple color dilutes to light purple =
SATURATED
Purple color disappears and brown ppt forms =
UNSATURATED
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Objectives
To investigate the physical properties of some
hydrocarbons
To use Baeyer's test to determine if a compound
is saturated or unsaturated

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Reagents
Cyclohexane
is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula (CH2)6.

cyclohexane
Properties/Uses:
Cyclohexane is mainly used for the industrial
production of adipic acid and caprolactam, which
are precursors to nylon.
Cyclohexane is a colourless, flammable liquid
with a distinctive detergent-like odor, reminiscent
of cleaning products (in which it is sometimes
used)

cyclohexane
Hazards:
Flammable
may cause irritation in eyes, skin,respiratory
system; drowsiness,dermatitis,narcosis,coma

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 Potassium Permanganate
is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula
KMnO4. It is a salt consisting of K+ and MnO4 ions

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potassium permanganate
Properties/Uses:
Formerly known as permanganate of potash or
Condy's crystals, it is a strong oxidizing agent.
It dissolves in water to give intensely pink or
purple solutions, the evaporation of which leaves
prismatic purplish-black glistening crystals.
In 2000, worldwide production was estimated at
30,000 tonnes. In this compound, manganese is
in the +7 oxidation state.
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potassium permanganate
Hazards:
caustic and can burn the skin. It can irritate skin
and repeated use may cause burns. If redness or
irritation continues, notify your doctor. When
preparing solutions make sure that the crystals
or tablets are fully dissolved in water before
using.
Note that potassium permanganate may leave a
brown stain on skin and nails as well as the bath
or vessel holding the solution.

 Cyclohexene
is produced by the partial hydrogenation of benzene, a
process developed by Asahi Chemical Company.

cyclohexene
Properties/Uses:
It is converted to cyclohexanol, which is
dehydrogenated to give cyclohexanone, a
precursor to caprolactam.
Cyclohexene is also a precursor toadipic acid,
maleic acid, dicyclohexyladipate, and
cyclohexeneoxide.
Furthermore, it is used as a solvent.

Equipment
Organic Comboplate

Microspatulas

equipment
Propettes

Gloves

Procedure
3 drops of cyclohexane
to well A4

3 drops of cyclohexane to
well A5

Add 6 drops of cold,

0.1% KMnO4 (aq)
Observe the contents of
each well from the side of
the comboplate

Stir the contents of

each well vigorously
using microspatula

Note the appearance of

the contents of each well
to see if a colour change
has taken place.
Raise the
comboplate.

Data and Results

Analysis
Q1. What do you notice in each well immediately
after adding the potassium permanganate
solution?

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Q2. Describe the appearance of the cyclohexanepermangate mixture in well A4 after stirring.

Q3. What has happened to the cyclohexenepermanganate mixture after stirring?

Q4. How can dilute potassium permanganate

solution help the chemist to distinguish between
saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon
compounds?

Q5. What do you notice about the appearance of

bromine-cyclohexene mixture?

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Q6. If cyclohexene is a saturated hydrocarbon

compound, why has the colour faded? Use the
following reaction to explain your answer.

Cyclohexene + Br2

cyclohexylbromide+Hbr

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Conclusion

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