The Organic Chemistry 
CLASSIFICATION TESTS
A. Acids
There are relatively few suitable tests for carboxylic acids. Classification is based mostly upon solubility tests. If the compound is water soluble, test the aqueous solution of your compound with pH paper (also check the pH of the original water). If the compound is water-insoluble and it dissolves in 5% (1.5M) sodium hydroxide and 5% NaHCO3 solutions as performed in your solubility tests, it can be classified as a carboxylic acid. Establish an equivalence value for the unknown to estimate its molecular weight.
The equivalent weight or neutralization equivalent for the carboxylic acid can be obtained from the base. It is most important that you accurately weigh your sample of acid and titrate to a phenolphthalein (colorless to pink color) end point using an accurately known dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (0.1000 M). If your unknown is soluble in a greater than 50% ethanol/water mixture, then use bromothymol blue as the indicator to give a yellow to blue color change.
Using an analytical balance, accurately weigh out approximately 0.2 g of your unknown acid (measured to 0.001g) and dissolve in 50 – 100mL of water. It may be necessary to warm the solvent to affect complete dissolution. Add a drop or two of phenolphthalein indicator and titrate to an end point with an accurately know standardized solution of sodium hydroxide, usually 0.1000M. If your unknown is insoluble in water, dissolve 95% ethanol or a water/ethanol mixture. If ethanol is the major solvent, use bromothymol blue as the indicator, since it gives a sharper endpoint than phenolphthalein. Te equivalent weight can be calculated from the following equation:
B. ALCOHOLS
1. Ceric Nitrate – A qualitative test for alcohols and phenols.
a. For Water-Soluble Compounds
Add 0.5 mL of the ceric nitrate reagent to 2-3 mL of distilled water in a test tube, and mix thoroughly. Add 1 to 2 drops of the compound to be tested, shake, and note the color. If the
A. Acids
There are relatively few suitable tests for carboxylic acids. Classification is based mostly upon solubility tests. If the compound is water soluble, test the aqueous solution of your compound with pH paper (also check the pH of the original water). If the compound is water-insoluble and it dissolves in 5% (1.5M) sodium hydroxide and 5% NaHCO3 solutions as performed in your solubility tests, it can be classified as a carboxylic acid. Establish an equivalence value for the unknown to estimate its molecular weight.
The equivalent weight or neutralization equivalent for the carboxylic acid can be obtained from the base. It is most important that you accurately weigh your sample of acid and titrate to a phenolphthalein (colorless to pink color) end point using an accurately known dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (0.1000 M). If your unknown is soluble in a greater than 50% ethanol/water mixture, then use bromothymol blue as the indicator to give a yellow to blue color change.
Using an analytical balance, accurately weigh out approximately 0.2 g of your unknown acid (measured to 0.001g) and dissolve in 50 – 100mL of water. It may be necessary to warm the solvent to affect complete dissolution. Add a drop or two of phenolphthalein indicator and titrate to an end point with an accurately know standardized solution of sodium hydroxide, usually 0.1000M. If your unknown is insoluble in water, dissolve 95% ethanol or a water/ethanol mixture. If ethanol is the major solvent, use bromothymol blue as the indicator, since it gives a sharper endpoint than phenolphthalein. Te equivalent weight can be calculated from the following equation:
B. ALCOHOLS
1. Ceric Nitrate – A qualitative test for alcohols and phenols.
a. For Water-Soluble Compounds
Add 0.5 mL of the ceric nitrate reagent to 2-3 mL of distilled water in a test tube, and mix thoroughly. Add 1 to 2 drops of the compound to be tested, shake, and note the color. If the