Experiments for better teaching

Isomeric Butanols

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time requ.: 25 minutes.
objective: Isomerism
material:
  • 3 teat pipettes
  • 6 test tubes d=18mm
  • 4 test tubes d=30mm
  • glass rod
  • boiling stones
  • beaker 50ml
  • scales
  • spatula
  • thermometer T<120°C
  • test tube holder (for 30mm)
chemicals:
  • 1-butanol
  • 2-butanol
  • tert. butanol
 
  • ceric ammonium nitrate
  • nitric acid c=2mol/l
  • distilled water
  • sodium chloride solution c=3mol/l
preparation: Note: adapt volume of stock solution to the estimated number of tests you plan. For about 30 tests: Prepare a stock solution of reagent by dissolving 10g ceric ammonium nitrate in 25ml of the nitric acid.
procedure 1: Dilute 1ml reagent with 2ml water. Add 5 drops of unknown sample,shake.
observation 1: The colour changes from yellow to orange/red.
interpretation 1: The compounds contain an alcoholic group.
procedure 2: Boiling temperature: give about 5ml alcohol, a boiling stone and a thermometer in a large test tube and heat until the liquid is boiling. Take the test tube out of the flame and measure the temperature: it approx. represents the boiling point.
observation 2: (Lit.: 1-butanol=118°C     2-butanol=99°C     tert. butanol=83°C)
interpretation 2: Discuss the results in terms of intermolecular interactions.
procedure 3: Test solubility in water: add to 1ml alcohol water in portions of 1ml until the alcohol dissolves completely. Shake well after each ml portion.
observation 3: Solubility in x ml water: 1-butanol: 11ml, 2-butanol: 4ml, tert. butanol: 1ml.
interpretation 3: Discuss the results in terms of intermolecular interactions.
disposal of: Heavy metal solutions, organic solvents.
source: Barke, H.-D. et al.: One Hundred Chemistry-Experiments to Avoid Chalk and Talk; University of Muenster, 2004.

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Didaktik der Chemie
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