SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND LIBERAL ARTS
Baguio City
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Title: INORGANIC AND ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
G1 Secretary : KEANNE VERA AMOMOY
Date performed : JANUARY 30, 2023
Experiment number : 1
Class Code : 0591L
Date submitted : FEBRUARY 2, 2023 Schedule : 7:30 – 9.30 A.M.
Name of student Total
Contribution/s Contents Remarks Score
(Alphabetically Arranged) points
ABADIER, Jed Kaye TLO, Procedures Theoretical Background
AGUDA, Saraih May D. Questions
ALBARILLO, Windy Q. Data and Results, TLO
Discussion, Conclusion
ALONZO, Michaela Richelyn Data and Results,
Discussion Procedures
AMOMOY, Keanne Vera T. Questions, Conclusion Data and results
AWAL, Zarita P. TLO, Procedures,
Questions
BADANG, Gwyneth Rose C. Theoretical Discussion
background,
Conclusion
BALAGSA, Shaniah Jean O. Theoretical Questions
background
Conclusion
Total
Experiment No. 1 : Inorganic and Organic Compounds
Abadier, Jed Kaye
Aguda, Saraih May
Albarillo, Windy
Alonzo, Michaela Richelyn
Amomoy, Keanne Vera
Awal, Zarita
Badang, Gwyneth Rose
Balagsa. Shaniah Jean
Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University
0591L: Organic Chemistry
Prof. Purificacion Banania
February 2, 2023
I. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Organic compounds generally contain carbon, which is most often bonded with another carbon
along with hydrogen commonly found in living organisms. However, Friedrich Wohler found in the early
1800s that organic compounds may be manufactured in the laboratory from minerals and other non-
organic elements. Additional elements, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen, can sometimes be
bonded to carbons. In contrast, inorganic substances are chemical molecules that lack carbon-carbon (C-
C) and carbon-hydrogen (C-H) covalent bonds. On the other hand, many inorganic substances include
hydrogen atoms, such as water (H2O) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), which are routinely produced in the
digestive system.
However, a few carbon compounds are not classified as organic molecules due to their lack of
carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-hydrogen (C-H) covalent bonds. These inorganic carbon-containing
compounds include carbonates, cyanides, cyanates, carbides, thiocyanates, carbon monoxide, and carbon
dioxide.
A predominant theory on organic and inorganic compounds before the discovery of Friedrich
Wohler was the theory of vitalism. This concept stated that living things had a vital power - vis-vitalis -
that distinguished them from non-living objects. Organic chemicals are those created by living things and
are derived from organisms. Those attainable from non-living objects were termed inorganic, meaning
"not organic." The theory was later disputed by Friedrich Wohler's empirical findings from his urea
experiment.
With the discrediting of vitalism, chemists continued to establish a mutual consensus on a modern
definition of organic and inorganic compounds. This is because simply claiming that an organic
compound is any compound that contains a carbon atom is not absolutely correct since it invalidates the
inclusion of some carbon-containing inorganic compounds. However, the premise of organic compounds
derived from living organisms provides a solid basis for defining organic compounds.
In addition, it is empirical that the preponderance of organic compounds is produced by living
things. The molecules can also arise through other mechanisms. However, Anne Helmenstine, in 2018,
mentioned that organic substances discovered on Mars or in a nebula, for instance, aren't always
indicators of extraterrestrial life. The energy required to change inorganic chemicals into organics can be
obtained from solar radiation.
More so than chemical characteristics, which refer to a compound's capacity to undergo a
chemical transformation, organic compound physical attributes are both observable and quantifiable.
Furthermore, each material has its own set of physical features. This is because these properties may be
assessed without affecting or modifying the chemical makeup of the molecule under study. The physical
properties of organic molecules of interest often give both quantitative and qualitative features. The
melting point, boiling point, and refraction index are all quantitative values. On the other hand, odor,
durability, solubility, and color are examples of qualitative qualities.
Organic compounds are crucial since all living creatures include carbon. They are the fundamental
elements that drive the planet in a variety of phases. For instance, the carbon process comprises plants and
animals transferring carbon during photosynthesis and cell respiration. It also provides us with clothing,
paper, ink, rubber, soap, fragrances, and medicines that are fundamental for us in order to thrive and
survive. Furthermore, organic chemistry is essential for chemists and pharmacists in order to produce
medications to alleviate the loss of life and property.
II. OBJECTIVE
TLO#1: Examine the composition of organic compounds and differentiate it from inorganic
compounds
III. PROCEDURES
A. Solubility
1. To 2 ml each of water, ethyl alcohol, ether and benzene, add a pinch of benzoic acid then
shake. Observe the solubility of benzoic acid on each of the given liquid solvents.
2. Repeat the same procedure using table salt instead of benzoic acid.
B. Melting and Boiling Points
1. In a dry test tube, place 1⁄2 gram of benzoic acid and heat directly over the flame.
2. Do the same on a separate test tube with table salt.
3. Put 2 ml each of ether, ethyl alcohol and water in separate test tubes and place them on a water
bath. (The water bath is a beaker containing water to be heated.)
4. Increase the flame until water boils in the beaker.
C. Stability towards Heat
1. Heat a pinch of salt in a test tube for 2 minutes and let the product cool.
2. Repeat the procedure using sugar.
3. Repeat the same procedure using benzoic acid.
D. Combustibility
Warning: Extinguish all lighted burners within your area when performing this procedure.
1. Place 5 drops of ethyl alcohol in an evaporating dish then place a lighted match over the
alcohol.
2. Repeat the procedure using ether.
3. Do the same using carbon tetrachloride or any organic halide.
E. Ionization
1. Add 3 drops of silver nitrate to 2 ml of sodium chloride solution.
2. Repeat the procedure using carbon tetrachloride instead of the salt solution.
F. Acidity and Alkalinity
Using a stirring rod and litmus paper, test the acidity of dilute HCI, dilute acetic acid, ammonium
hydroxide and aniline.
IV. DATA & RESULTS
A. Solubility
List down observations on the following table:
Compound Water Ethyl Alcohol Ether Benzene
Benzoic Acid insoluble soluble soluble soluble
Sodium Chloride Partially soluble insoluble Partially soluble insoluble
B. Melting and Boiling Points
Which compound melted first? Benzoic Acid
Which compound melted last? None
Which compound boiled first? Ether
Which compound boiled last? Water
C. Stability towards Heat
Compound Observations after heating
Sodium No major changes
Chloride Sodium chloride became smaller when combined with heat
Sugar Sugar began to melt after heating for a few seconds
The Color turned into a darker brown color.
After it cooled down, the sugar hardened and stained the test tube leaving it
hard to remove
Benzoic Acid It started to dissolve into liquid form when heated
D. Combustibility
Compound Combustible or Non-combustible
Ethyl Alcohol Combustible
Ether Combustible
Organic Halide Non-combustible
E. Ionization
Compound Observation
Silver Nitrate + There was the formation of a white precipitate. There was also a separation
Sodium Chloride where a cloudy white layer formed at the upper part of the solution.
Carbon Tetrachloride No precipitate was formed. There was a slight separation between the
+ compounds, creating bubbles at the solution's surface.
Silver Nitrate
F. Acidity and Alkalinity
Sample Substances Reaction to litmus paper Classification as strong
or weak base
acid, strong base, weak acid
1) Dil. HCl Blue to red Strong acid
Red remained red
2) Dil. Acetic acid Blue to red Weak acid
Red remained red
3) Dil. NH4OH Blue remained blue Strong base
Red to blue
4) aniline Blue remained blue Weak base
Red partially turned blue
V. DISCUSSION
A. In which type of compounds is benzoic acid soluble?
Benzoic acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid which consists of a carboxyl group attached to a benzene ring
(Byjus, 2023). Based on the experiment, benzoic acid is soluble in ethyl alcohol, ether, and benzene while
partially soluble in water because the carboxylic group is polar and the bulk of the benzoic acid molecule
is non-polar. However, temperature changes affect the solubility of the benzoic acid and these solvents.
In which type of compound is sodium chloride soluble?
Sodium chloride or table salt is highly soluble in water. As like dissolves like, sodium chloride as an ionic
compound possesses opposite charges, thus they are polar in nature and is highly soluble in ionic polar
solvents. Based on the experiment, sodium chloride is not soluble in ethyl alcohol, ether, and benzene.
Ether and benzene are non-polar organic solvents and they cannot solvate positive and negative ions.
Give a general statement as to the difference in solubility of organic and inorganic compounds:
The solute and solvent play major roles in determining the difference in solubility of organic and
inorganic compounds. Solubility in organic compounds caused low solubility in water, as seen in the
experiment. Inorganic compounds, on the other hand, have a high solubility in water.
B. Give a general statement regarding the stability of organic and inorganic compounds towards heat.
Since organic chemicals contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, they are more flammable than inorganic
compounds. Compounds that are inorganic do not burn quickly.
C. Give examples of organic compounds in the household which changes in the same way as sugar and
benzoic acid when heated.
Candle
Soap
D. What can you conclude regarding the combustibility of organic compounds?
Combustion is when a substance burns as a result of a chemical reaction. Based on the experiment, ethyl
alcohol and ether show combustion of a saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon. Organic substances
typically have covalent bonds between them. They serve as the foundation for all living things. Their
various physical characteristics, such as odor, solubility, density, melting point, and boiling temperature,
serve to define them.
E. What conclusion can you make based on the results obtained?
The results based on solubility, melting and boiling points, heat stability, combustibility, ionization,
acidity, and alkalinity differ from one another and only justifies organic compounds' definition by
exhibiting covalent bonding, whereas inorganic compounds exhibit ionic bonding within covalent
bonding. There is also no reaction when an ionic compound is added to a nonpolar compound because it
cannot produce ionization since they have different bonds.
F. What can you conclude regarding the difference in the degree of acidity and alkalinity between organic
and inorganic compounds?
Inorganic compounds have greater levels of acidity and alkalinity. Hence, inorganic compounds produce
strong acids and strong bases. While, organic compounds have lower levels of acidity and alkalinity since
they produce weak acids and weak bases.
VI. QUESTIONS
1. Name 5 other differences between organic and inorganic compounds not illustrated in this
experiment.
Organic compounds are molecules that make up living things, whereas inorganic
compounds make up non-living things.
The vast majority of organic compounds are biodegradable, whereas inorganic
compounds are generally environmentally harmful.
Organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, whereas inorganic compounds do
not.
Inorganic compounds are non-volatile while organic compounds are highly volatile as a
result of a low boiling point that allows molecules to vaporize quickly.
The structure of inorganic compounds are simpler compared to the more complex
structure of organic compounds due to the ability of carbon to produce long chains.
2. What are some similarities between organic and inorganic compounds? (Give at least three
properties).
Intermolecular bonds exist in both organic and inorganic compounds.
They can both contain carbon atoms.
They both obey all the natural laws.
3. Who is the Father of Organic Chemistry?
Friedrich Wöhler, a German chemist is the father and founder of organic chemistry. In
which Friedrich Wöhler also invented urea in 1828.
4. How many organic compounds are known at present?
There are almost 16,000,000 organic compounds known.
5. What are the sources of organic compounds?
Sources of organic compounds can come from living organisms like plants and animals;
along with coal, petroleum and natural gases.
VII. CONCLUSION
From the experiment, it can be concluded that several factors differentiate organic and inorganic
compounds. The properties of organic compounds are distinct from inorganic compounds. The
experiments show that they differ in solubility, melting and boiling points, stability towards heat,
combustibility, ionization, and acidity and alkalinity. Their structures account for the differences in those
properties, especially their bonding. For example, inorganic compounds have ionic bonds, which result in
high melting and boiling points. On the other hand, organic compounds have weak covalent bonds that
result in low melting and boiling points. In terms of combustibility, organic compounds are more
combustible than inorganic compounds. Despite the contrasts between organic and inorganic compounds,
research into both has resulted in significant innovative discoveries. Chemists can synthesize products
from new compounds that, if well-designed, may have crucial features for improving the human
experience. Rubber, plastics, gasoline, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, cleaning agents, coloring agents, and
agrichemicals industries all rely on organic and inorganic compounds.
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