3 Isomers of butanol
Comparison of Three Isomers of Butanol
Introduction
An alcohol's reactivity is determined based on the attachment of their hydroxyl functional group. The location of this hydroxyl functional group will impact the molecular structure of the alcohol, making it either primary (1° ), secondary (2° ), or tertiary (3° ). The purpose of this experiment is to observe and predict the reactions that take place between all three alcohols and an oxidizing agent, as well as to test our theories of how the molecular structure affects the chemical properties of the three isomers of butanol.
I predict that the primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols will undergo substitution reactions, but only primary and secondary alcohols will undergo oxidation reactions due to their chemical properties and the theories learned in class.
Procedure
Three test tubes were placed in a test-tube rack. A clean eye dropper was used for each alcohol and 4 drops of 1-butanol were placed in the first tube; 4 drops of 2-butanol were placed in the second tube; and in the third tube, 4 drops of 2-methyl-2-propanol were placed. After the 4 drops of each alcohol were placed in the test tubes, the next step was to add 10 drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) to each of the three test tubes. The mixtures were shaken very gently and the tubes were left to stand for 1 min while they were observed for evidence of cloudiness. Three more test tubes were set up for each alcohol to observe the reaction between the three alcohols and the KMnO4 solution. For each tube, 2ml of KMnO4 solution were carefully added then shaken gently. The test tubes remained standing for 5 min, with occasional shaking. After allowing adequate time for the reactions to occur, the test tubes were observed to determine if there was any colour change.
Results
Table 1: Reactions of Alcohols with Lucas Reagent and KMnO4
Oxidizing Agent 1-butanol (Primary Alcohol) 2-butanol (Secondary Alcohol) 2-methyl-2-propanol (Tertiary
Introduction
An alcohol's reactivity is determined based on the attachment of their hydroxyl functional group. The location of this hydroxyl functional group will impact the molecular structure of the alcohol, making it either primary (1° ), secondary (2° ), or tertiary (3° ). The purpose of this experiment is to observe and predict the reactions that take place between all three alcohols and an oxidizing agent, as well as to test our theories of how the molecular structure affects the chemical properties of the three isomers of butanol.
I predict that the primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols will undergo substitution reactions, but only primary and secondary alcohols will undergo oxidation reactions due to their chemical properties and the theories learned in class.
Procedure
Three test tubes were placed in a test-tube rack. A clean eye dropper was used for each alcohol and 4 drops of 1-butanol were placed in the first tube; 4 drops of 2-butanol were placed in the second tube; and in the third tube, 4 drops of 2-methyl-2-propanol were placed. After the 4 drops of each alcohol were placed in the test tubes, the next step was to add 10 drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) to each of the three test tubes. The mixtures were shaken very gently and the tubes were left to stand for 1 min while they were observed for evidence of cloudiness. Three more test tubes were set up for each alcohol to observe the reaction between the three alcohols and the KMnO4 solution. For each tube, 2ml of KMnO4 solution were carefully added then shaken gently. The test tubes remained standing for 5 min, with occasional shaking. After allowing adequate time for the reactions to occur, the test tubes were observed to determine if there was any colour change.
Results
Table 1: Reactions of Alcohols with Lucas Reagent and KMnO4
Oxidizing Agent 1-butanol (Primary Alcohol) 2-butanol (Secondary Alcohol) 2-methyl-2-propanol (Tertiary