Hydrocarbons, compounds which contain only carbon and hydrogen, can

be classified into several types, depending on their structure. Aliphatic

hydrocarbons are divided into three classes: alkanes have only single bonds,
and are said to be saturated; alkenes and alkynes have carbon-carbon
double or triple bonds, and are said to be unsaturated. Aromatic
hydrocarbons are cyclic compounds whose structure is related to that of
benzene, with six -electrons in a six-membered ring.

All tests should be carried out in dry test tubes, and observations should be
recorded on the report sheet as each experiment is performed.

1. Bromine or chlorine water

Alkanes react slowly or not at all with bromine at room temperature in
the dark, but in the presence of sunlight, substitution is fairly rapid:

R-H + Br2 --light--> R-Br + HBr (a substitution rxn)

The reaction is easily detected by loss of the bromine colour and by

evolution of hydrogen bromide.

On the other hand, bromine adds rapidly at room temperature to alkenes

in a reaction which does not require light. Since the product is colourless,
the bromine is rapidly decolorized when added to an alkene.

Materials/Apparatus
1- Bromine soulation 7-Dropper
2-Cyclohexane 8-Syringe-2
3-piece of moist 9-Litmus paper-3
4- Cyclohexene
5-Test tube-3
6-Beaker-3
Procedure
1-Put 1 mL portions of cyclohexane into two separate test tubes.
2-Add 10-15 drops of bromine or chlorine water.
3-After shaking the tubes, place one in the dark, (under the counter) and
expose the other to sunlight or a bright light for a few minutes.
4-Then compare the colour of the two tubes.
5-est for the presence of hydrogen bromide or hydrogen chloride by
holding a piece of moist blue litmus at the mouth of each tube.
6-Add 1 mL of cyclohexene to a clean test tube.
7-Add 10-15 drops of bromine or chlorie water, shake the tube and observe
the result.
8-Test for the presence of hydrogen bromide evolution.
2. Aqueous Potassium Permanganate (Baeyer's Test)

Alkanes are relatively inert to chemical oxidizing agents such as neutral or

alkaline permanganate, where alkenes are readily oxidized at room
temperature. The change in colour can be used as a test for a double bond,
provided the molecule contains no easily oxidizable group.

Materials/Apparatus
1- Potassium permanganate soulation
2-Cyclohexane
3-Cyclohexene
4-Test tube-2
5-Dropper-2
6-Beaker-1
Procedure

1-Place 5mL of potassium permanganate solution in two separate test tubes.

2-Add about five drops of alkane to one tube and the same of alkene to the
other test tube.
3-Shake the tubes well for 1 -2 minutes, and note the results.