Determining the Identity of an Organic Compound through Functional Group Testing and

Spectral Analysis

Abid Khan
2897438 | WEEK 3 & 5 FRIDAY 8AM

Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to determine the structure of a given unknown organic compound by
conducting functional group tests and deducing its identity through IR and NMR spectroscopy.
Functional group tests were conducted to identify a preliminary understanding of the functional groups
present. Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy were used to further identify the
functional groups present and the compounds carbon-hydrogen framework. Three potential
compounds, namely 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone and 1-pentanal, were listed as the possible unknown
compound. After observing the qualitative observations during the functional group tests and spectral
analysis, it was determined that the unknown compound was 2-pentanone.

Introduction/Aim
The study of organic-containing compounds and their properties is called organic chemistry. Organic
chemistry plays a vital role for understanding living systems. The synthetic fibres, plastics, artificial
sweeteners, and drugs that are an accepted part of modern life are products of organic chemistry
(Zumdahl, 2005). An important part of organic compounds are functional groups. A functional group
is a specific group of atoms within a molecules that is responsible for the characteristic chemical
reactions of that molecule (Marie, 2014). They are attached to the carbon backbone of organic molecules
and are far less stable than the carbon backbone so they are likely to participate in chemical reactions
(Fromm, 1997). Functional groups are important as a specific set of functional groups in any given
organic compound specifies its role and chemical behaviour (Dallas Learning Solutions, 2014).
Determining the structure of atoms and molecules of organic compounds can come from studying their
interaction with light (Michigan State University, 2000). Different regions of the electromagnetic
spectrum provide different kind of information as a result of such interactions. The three types of
spectroscopy that will be utilised in this investigation are infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic
resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass spectroscopy. The infrared region of the electromagnetic
spectrum covers the range from just above the visible range (7.8 10-7m) to 10-4m (McMurry, 2011).
Absorption of this lower energy radiation causes vibrational and rotational excitation of groups of atoms
within the molecule (Michigan State University, 2000). Since different functional groups have different
characteristic absorptions, identification of functional groups through IR spectroscopy is easily
accomplished (Michigan State University, 2000). NMR spectroscopy is the most valuable spectroscopic
technique available for laboratory organic chemists for structure determination (McMurry, 2011).
Absorption in the low energy radio frequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum causes excitation of
nuclear spin states and are tuned to certain nuclei (1H, 13C, 19F and 31P) (Michigan State University,
2000). For a given type of nucleus, NMR spectroscopy distinguishes and counts atoms in different
locations in the molecule (Michigan State University, 2000).

Abid Khan

The aim of this investigation is to determine the structure of a given unknown organic compound by
conducting functional group tests and deducing its identity through IR and NMR spectroscopy.

Methods
For the methods of this investigation, please refer to pages 10-23 of the 2014MSC Organic Chemistry
Laboratory Manual 2014 edition.

Results
The results section contains tables and descriptions presenting the recorded qualitative observations for
the functional groups and elements testing and physical constants (boiling point and refractive index),
solubility and oxygen flask test results for the unknown compound. These data can be analysed to form
a preliminary understanding of the identity and structure of the unknown compound. A brief description
of each of the functional group tests along with its chemical equation or reaction mechanism are
illustrated. The findings from the IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy for the unknown compound are
presented to assist in deducing the identity of the organic compound. The IR, NMR and mass
spectroscopy spectra can be found in the Appendix. Three potential compounds are then listed with
their physical constants along with their respective chemical structures.
Qualitative Observations
Table 1.1, presented on page 3, presents the qualitative observations that were observed while
conducting the standard functional group and element tests that were conducted by oxygen flask
method. The colour and opacity of the resulting solution, along with whether a precipitate (ppt) was
present, were noted for each of the tests.
Table 1.2, presented on page 4, presents the qualitative observations for the unknown organic
compound. The results detail the observations and whether the unknown compounds are positive or
negative to the standard functional group tests which can then be used to identify the functional groups
present.

Abid Khan

Table 1.1 Qualitative observations from the Standard Functional Group/Element Tests

Table 1.1 - Qualitative Observations from Standard Functional Group/Element Testing

Reactant being Functional
Station Number/Reaction Name
changed
Group/Element Test
Observation
Cyclohexane
1.a - Reaction with bromine

Cyclohexene
Cyclohexane

1.b Reaction with permanganate

Cyclohexene

Carbon-carbon
double bond

Benzyl Alcohol
2.a - Solubility of alcohol and
phenol in base
2.b - Reaction of phenol with ferric
chloride
2.c - Reaction with phenol and
aqueous bromine
2.d - Luca's Test for tertiary
aliphatic alcohol
3.a - Reaction of carboxylic acid
with sodium bicarbonate

Red colour change, no ppt

Red colour decolourised,
transparent
Strong violet colour, no
ppt
dark red, no ppt
Clear, transparent
slightly yellow colour
change, not dissolved
100%

Phenol
Phenol

Glucose

clear
White
cloudy colour
change, ppt formed
2 phases, cloudy in the
bottom, clear on top
Not soluble, crystal ppt
formed
Opaque orange-red colour,
ppt formed
Milky colour change, ppt
formed
Silver mirror, dark green,
ppt formed
Dark red, opaque, ppt
formed

Benzaldehyde

Opaque, dark violet, no ppt

Phenol
Tert-butyl
alcohol

Hydroxyl group

Benzoic acid

Carboxylic acid group

3.b (i) - D.N.P Test

Acetophenone

Ketone group

3.b (ii) - Iodoform Test

Acetophenone

Methyl ketone

3.c (i) - Tollen's test

3.c (ii) - Reduction of Fehling's
solution
3.c (iii) - Reaction of aldehyde with
permanganate

Benzaldehyde

3.c (iv) - D.N.P Test

Benzaldehyde

Aldehyde group

Opaque orange ppt

3.d - Hydroxamic Test

Methyl Benzoate

Ester group

Opaque purple/black color

4.a - Solubility of amines in

aqueous acid
4.b - Test for primary aromatic
amine
4.c - Reaction of aromatic amines
and aqueous bromine

Aniline

Slightly yellow, soluble

Acetanilide

Aniline

Amino Group

5. - Test for nitro compounds

6.a - Distinguishing between ethers
and hydrocarbons

m-dinitrobenzene

Nitro group

White ppt, not soluble

Dark red, ppt formed,
silver top
Cream-coloured ppt, not
soluble
Yellow
ppt,
cloudy,
cream-coloured liquid

Diethyl ether

Ether group

Brown colour change

6.b (i) - Testing for sulphur ions

6.b (ii) - Testing for organic halide
ions

White ppt

Sulphur ion
Chlorine,
bromine,
iodine ion

6.b (iii) - Testing for nitrogen ion

7. - Smokey flame test for
Aromatics

Nitrogen ion

Green colour change

Ethyl acetate

Aromatic group

Melted, smokey flame

8. - Molisch's Test for sugars

Glucose

Carbohydrate

Dark purple colour

Abid Khan

Aniline

White ppt

Table 1.2 Qualitative Observations from the Functional Group/Element Testing for the
Unknown Organic Compound

Table 1.2 - Qualitative Observations from Functional Group/ Element Testing For Unknown Compound
Positive/Negative with
Functional
Standard Functional Group
Station Number/Reaction Name
Group/Element Test
Observation
test
Red colour, no ppt,
positive with cyclohexane
1.a - Reaction with bromine
soluble
standard
Carbon-carbon
Strong violet
positive with cyclohexane
1.b Reaction with permanganate
double bond
colour, no ppt
standard
2.a - Solubility of alcohol and
positive with benzyl alcohol
phenol in base
Clear
standard
2.b - Reaction of phenol with ferric
Slightly yellow
chloride
colour change
negative
2.c - Reaction with phenol and
aqueous bromine
Red colour change
negative
2.d - Luca's Test for tertiary
aliphatic alcohol
Hydroxyl group
Clear, transparent
negative
3.a - Reaction of carboxylic acid
Carboxylic Acid
Soluble, no sound
with sodium bicarbonate
group
heard
negative
Orange colour, ppt
3.b(i) - D.N.P Test
Ketone group
formed
positive
Opaque, cloudy, no
3.b(ii) - Iodoform Test
Methyl Ketone
ppt
negative
Clear, transparent,
3.c (i) - Tollen's test
no ppt
negative
3.c (ii) - Reduction of Fehling's
N.R, no colour
solution
change from blue
negative
3.c (iii) - Reaction of aldehyde with
Opaque, dark
permanganate
violet
positive
3.c (iv) - D.N.P Test

Aldehyde group

3.d - Hydroxamic Test

4.a - Solubility of amines in aqueous
acid
4.b - Test for primary aromatic
amine
4.c - Reaction of aromatic amines
and aqueous bromine

Ester group

Amino group

5. - Test for nitro Compounds

6.a - Distinguishing between ethers
and hydrocarbons

Ether group

6.b (i) - Testing for sulphur ion

6.b (ii) - Testing for organic halide
ion

Sulphur ion
Chlorine, bromine,
iodine ions

6.b (iii) - Testing for nitrogen ion

positive
positive
negative
negative
negative

Purple, no ppt
Brown colour
change

negative

Clear, NR

negative
negative

Nitrogen ion

Clear, no ppt
Clear, no colour
change

7. - Smokey flame test for aromatics

Aromatic group

No smokey flame

negative

8. - Molisch's Test for sugars

Carbohydrate

Dark red, no ppt

negative

Abid Khan

Nitro group

Opaque orange ppt

Clear on top, ppt
present
Clear transparent,
no ppt
Light brown, white
top, not clear
Dark yellow colour
change

positive

negative

Description and Illustration of the Standard Functional Group Tests

1.a Reaction of Cyclohexane and Cyclohexene with bromine
In this reaction, bromine acts as an electrophile and is very polarisable by the approaching pi bond
from the alkene. One of the bromine atoms becomes attached to both carbon atoms, with a positive
charge being found on the bromine atom. The bromonium ion then gets attacked in the back by a
bromide ion. This allows the decolourisation of the bromine (red to transparent). This is an example of
electrophilic addition of alkenes (Clark, 2000). Alkanes do not have a pi bond and are sp3 hybridised
thus they cannot make an induced dipole on bromine.

1.b Reaction of Cyclohexane and Cyclohexene with permanganate

When an organic compound reacts with dilute alkaline potassium manganate (VII) solution in the cold
to give a green solution followed by a dark brown precipitate, then the compound may contain a carboncarbon double bond. The chemical equations where the reactants are cyclohexane and cyclohexene are
illustrated below.

When cyclohexene reacts with the purple potassium manganate (VII), manganese dioxide is formed
and induces a brown colour change.

Abid Khan

The IR spectrum for cyclohexane

and cyclohexene are very similar
and differ only by the characteristic
absorption of a carbon double bond
C=C at 1640-1680 cm-1.
2.a Distinguishing between alcohol and phenol by solubility in base and comparison of IR spectrum
between toluene and benzyl alcohol
Phenols are about a million times more acidic than alcohol and are therefore soluble in dilute sodium
hydroxide. Phenols are more acidic because the phenoxide ion is resonance-stabilised. Delocalisation
of the negative charge over the ortho and para positions of the aromatic ring results in increased stability
of the phenoxide anion relative to undissociated phenol (McMurry, 2011). Therefore this test can be
used to distinguish between alcohol and phenol.

Benzyl alcohol has a broad absorption at 3400 - 3650 cm-1 while toluene does not. Toluene can be
resonance stabilised. The resonance hybrid suggests all six C=C bonds of benzene are more than the
single bonds but not complete double bonds as they only have partial pi character.

Abid Khan

2.b Reaction of phenols with ferric chloride in pyridine

Treatment of phenol with anhydrous ferric chloride and pyridine produces a blue, violet, purple, green
or red-brown solution.

2.c Reaction with phenol and aqueous bromine

The OH group attached to the benzene ring in phenol has the effect of increasing its reactivity (Clark,
2000). The net effect of this is that the OH group has a 2,4 directing effect meaning that the incoming
groups of bromide will tend to go into the 2-position or 4-position. This causes decolourisation of
bromine and a white precipitate is formed.

Abid Khan

2.d Lucas Test for tertiary aliphatic alcohols

The reaction mechanism for the Lucas test is a substitution nucleophilic unimolecular reaction (S N1)
with a tertiary alcohol. This results in two distinct phases that should immediately separate.

3.a Reaction of carboxylic acid with sodium bicarbonate and comparison of IR spectrum of benzoic
acid and toluene
Carboxylic acids are soluble in aqueous sodium bicarbonate. In this reaction, the crystal of benzoic acid
is dissolved and forms colourless sodium ethanoate.

Abid Khan

Benzoic acid has characteristic absorptions for carbonyl group 1670 1780 cm-1, hydroxyl group at
2500 - 3100 cm-1 and C-O bond at 1210 1320 cm-1 which toluene does not have. These characteristics
are the stretching frequencies for carboxylic acid.
3.b (i) D.N.P Test with acetophenone
The D.N.P test with acetophenone is used to determine whether a ketone group is present. The following
reaction mechanism outlines this reaction

Abid Khan

3.b (ii) Iodoform Test test for methyl ketones and IR spectrum of acetophenone
The following reaction is used to determine whether a methyl ketone is present. Iodine is decolourised
indicating that one of the reactants were a methyl ketone.
Acetophenone has a carbonyl group that is part of the functional group. The stretching frequency of this
group is 1670 1780 cm-1.

3.c (i) Tollens test for aldehyde

The Tollens test refers to the oxidation of aldehyde. In this reaction, a silver mirror is formed and a
silver colouration can be seen around the solution indicating that an aldehyde is present.

3.c (ii) Reduction of Fehlings Solution

Fehlings solution contains copper (II) ions complexed
with tartrate ions in sodium hydroxide solution. In this
reaction an aldehyde/sugar is reduced to a reducing
sugar and forming a red precipitate of copper (I) oxide.

Abid Khan

10

3.c (iii) Reaction with permanganate

Aldehydes can react with permanganate and induces the colour change from orange to green. The
resulting product is benzoic acid.

3.c (iv) IR spectrum of benzaldehyde

Benzaldehyde has a characteristic C=O stretch of 1690 1720 cm-1 which toluene does not have.
3.e Stretching frequencies of carbonyl and N-H group in amides
The N-H stretching frequency in aniline is 3300 3500 cm-1 while the carbonyl group in acetanilide has
a stretching frequency of 1690 1720 cm-1.
4.a Solubility of amines in aqueous acid
Aniline is soluble in acid as it is a basic amine. There is a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen and the
tendency of the nitrogen to share its lone pair of electrons with acids is responsible for the basic
character of amines. The positive charge can then be delocalised giving a resonance structure.
Acetanilide is an amide and due to its structure cannot delocalise and thus is not soluble in acid.
Amine

Abid Khan

Amide

11

4.b Test for primary aromatic amine.

Step 1 Reaction between aniline, sodium nitrite (converted to nitrous acid in situ) and hydrochloric
acid.
When aromatic amines are coupled with diazonium cations, diazonium coupling competes with a
nucleophilic attack of the amine's nitrogen on the diazonium cation's terminal nitrogen, as the strength
of the resulting N-N single bond does not considerably differ from that of the C-N single bond
(Chemgapedia, 2013). This reaction occurs at low temperatures only

Abid Khan

12

Step 2 -napthol in sodium hydroxide mixed with diazonium cation

This reaction occurs in low temperatures only and an intense orange-red precipitate is formed.

Physical Properties of the Unknown Compound

The unknown compound is a clear, colourless and transparent liquid. The boiling point of the compound
is 102oC and has a refractive index of 1.3905.
Peaks in IR and NMR spectra of the Unknown Compound
After analysing the IR and NMR spectra of the unknown compound which can be found in the appendix,
the following peaks were found.
Table 1.3 - Observations after the analysis of IR spectra of the unknown compound
Table 1.3 - Observations after the analysis of IR spectra of the unknown compound
Ketone/Ester/Carboxylic Acid/Aldehyde group

1680 1780 cm-1 (sharp)

Alkyl group

2853 2962 cm-1 (medium/sharp)

Isopropyl group

1385 1395 cm-1 (medium)

Abid Khan

13

Table 1.4 - Observations after the analysis of 1H NMR spectra of the unknown compound
4 signals/peaks are observed in the 1H NMR spectra of the unknown compound.
Table 1.4 - Observations after the analysis of 1H NMR spectra of the unknown compound
Triplet @ 0.93 ppm

3H

Sextet @ 1.60 ppm

2H

Singlet @ 2.13 ppm

3H

Triplet @ 2.40 ppm

2H

Table 1.5 - Observations after the analysis of 13C NMR spectra of the unknown compound
Observations after the analysis of 13C NMR spectra of the unknown compound
Peak @ 13.7 ppm

Primary Alkyl

Peak @ 17.41 ppm

Primary Alkyl/Secondary Alkyl/Tertiary Alkyl

Peak @ 29.78 ppm

Primary Alkyl/Secondary Alkyl/ Tertiary Alkyl

Peak @ 45.71 ppm

Primary Alkyl/Secondary Alkyl/ Tertiary

Alkyl/Ether

Peak @ 208.93

Aldehyde/Ketone

Potential Compounds
After observing both the IR and NMR spectra, it can be deduced that the compound is either an
aldehyde or a ketone as both these functional groups are present in the IR and 13C NMR spectra.
Three possible compounds that are clear liquids and have a boiling point near 102oC are: 2-pentanone,
3-pentanone, 1-pentanal. These compounds were suggested by the convenor of 2014MSC Organic
Chemistry.
Name: 2-pentanone
B.P: 101oC - 102oC

Name: 3-pentanone
B.P: 100oC - 102oC

Name: 1-pentanal
B.P: 102oC - 103oC

Abid Khan

14

Discussion
The identity of the given unknown organic compound can be deduced by analysing: the qualitative
observations and whether the functional group tests were positive or negative, the NMR spectra to
determine the number of carbon atoms and different proton environments and the IR spectra to further
deduce what functional groups were present. The structures of 2-pentaanone, 3-pentanone and 1pentanal will be examined using the results that have been obtained.
In table 1.2 the unknown compound had positive reactions with following functional group tests:
carbon-carbon double bond group, hydroxyl group, ketone group, aldehyde group, ester group and ether
group. This finding indicates that the unknown compound could contain one or more of these functional
groups.
The IR spectra results can be used to further narrow down the actual composition of the functional
groups. As seen from the IR spectra located in the appendix and tabulated in table 1.3, there is a sharp
peak at the absorption frequency of 1680 1780 cm-1. This indicates that there functional group present
could be a ketone, ester, carboxylic acid or an aldehyde. Furthermore, there is a medium/sharp peak at
the absorption frequency of 2853 2962 cm-1 suggesting that there are alkyl groups in the unknown
compound. Lastly, there is medium peak at the absorption frequency of 1385 1395 cm-1 indicating
that there are isopropyl groups present in the compound. After analysing the IR spectra findings, the
following potential groups that were hypothesised from the findings in table 1.2 can be rejected:
hydroxyl group, ether group and carbon-carbon double bond group.
To determine the actual structure and carbon backbone of the unknown compound, the NMR spectra
results in table 1.4 and table 1.5 will be analysed. As shown in table 1.5 and the 13C NMR spectra in the
appendix, there are five peaks indicating that there are five different carbon environments in the
unknown compound. This seems to suggest that 3-pentanone is not the unknown compound as it does
not contain 5 different carbon environments. This is highlighted in figure 1.1. The different carbon
environments are shown by the coloured circles.
Figure 1.1 Carbon environments in 3-pentanone
As it can be seen in figure 1.1, there are only 3 different
carbon atoms thus 3-pentanone cannot be the unknown
organic compound.

Abid Khan

15

To distinguish between 2-propanone and 1-pentanal, as both compounds have five different carbon
environments, the 1H NMR spectra results will be analysed to identify their different proton
environments. Both compounds have 4 different proton environments. In table 1.4 and from the 1H
NMR spectra in the appendix, it can be observed that there is singlet at 2.13ppm. This suggests that the
proton group at 2.13ppm has no neighbouring protons. This finding appears to eliminate 1-pentanal as
the unknown compound as each proton environment has at least one neighbouring proton. This is
illustrated in figure 1.2 by using the program Chemdraw.

Figure 1.2 Neighbouring proton environments in 1-pentanal

Therefore it can be concluded that 2-pentaanone is the unknown organic compound tested in this
investigation. This can be further justified by labelling the 1H NMR spectra results with their respective
peaks.
Figure 1.3 The splitting pattern of 2-pentanone
2

1. CH3 group, singlet (3H)

2. C=O group
3. CH2 group, triplet (2H)
4. CH2 group, sextet (2H)
5. CH3 group, triplet (3H)
When observing the results from table 1.2, positive reactions were noted for the hydroxyl group, carboncarbon double bond and ether groups. These results may have arisen from experimental errors. It was
noted during the investigation that the amount of compound was depleted during these functional group
tests and thus the required amount of the compound were not inserted. This may have caused the
incorrect observations. For next time, more efficient use of the amount of the compound must be
conducted in order to insert the correct amount of the compound in each functional group test.

Abid Khan

16

Conclusion
The aim of this investigation was to determine the structure of a given unknown organic compound by
conducting functional group tests and deducing its identity through IR and NMR spectroscopy. After
observing the qualitative observations during the functional group tests and spectral analysis, it was
determined that the unknown compound was 2-pentanone.

Abid Khan

17

Appendix
IR Spectrum of Unknown Organic Compound

H NMR spectra of unknown organic compound

Abid Khan

18

13

C NMR spectra of unknown organic compound

Mass spectra of unknown organic compound

Abid Khan

19

References
Chemgapedia, 2013. Reactions of Aromatic Compounds. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.chemgapedia.de/vsengine/vlu/vsc/en/ch/12/oc/vlu_organik/aromaten/reaktionen/ar_s
e_beispiele.vlu/Page/vsc/en/ch/12/oc/aromaten/reaktionen/ar_se/azokupplung/azokupplung.vscm
l.html
[Accessed 1 May 2014].
Clark, J., 2000. Ring Reactions of Phenol. [Online]
Available at: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/phenol/ring.html
[Accessed 1 May 2014].
Clark, J., 2000. The Reaction between Symmetrical Alkenes and Bromine. [Online]
Available at: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/mechanisms/eladd/symbr2.html
[Accessed 1 May 2014].
Dallas Learning Solutions, 2014. Biomolecules. [Online]
Available at: https://dls.dcccd.edu/biology1-3/functional-groups-and-biomolecules
[Accessed 29 April 2014].
Fromm, J. R., 1997. The Concept of Functional Groups. [Online]
Available at: http://www.3rd1000.com/chem301/chem301a.htm
[Accessed 21 April 2014].
Marie, A., 2014. Functional Groups Definition. [Online]
Available at: http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryglossary/a/fungroupsdef.htm
[Accessed 20 April 2014].
McMurry, J., 2011. Organic Chemistry with Biological Applications. 2nd ed. California: Cengage
Learning.
Michigan State University, 2000. Introduction to Spectroscopy. [Online]
Available at: http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/spectrpy/spectro.htm
[Accessed 29 April 2014].
Zumdahl, S. S., 2005. Chemical Principles. 5th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Abid Khan

20