Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the difference between the structure of a saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons?

In saturated hydrocarbons molecules, all bonds between carbons are single bonds, while unsaturated hydrocarbons contain double bonds between carbons. Unsaturated hydrocarbons can contain one or more double bonds and it is important to say that these double bonds are not conjugated.

2. How can saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons be distinguished chemically?

These compounds can be distinguished using the reaction with KMnO4. KMnO4 solution is purple colored, so we can easily distinguish when it reacts with double bond, because it will become brown. When we mix saturated hydrocarbon with KMnO4 solution, nothing happens and the color stays purple.

3. What is the difference between the structure of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols?

These alcohols are different because the hydroxyl group is connected to carbon which can be attached to one, two or three more adjacent carbons. If that carbon, which is attached to hydroxyl group, is attached to just one carbon then it is a primary alcohol. If that carbon is attached to two carbons, then it is a secondary alcohol. And if it is attached to three carbons, than it is tertiary alcohol.

4. How can primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols be distinguished chemically?

Lucas' reagent is a solution of anhydrous zinc chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid. This solution is used to classify alcohols. The reaction is a substitution in which the chloride replaces a hydroxyl group. A positive test is indicated by a change from clear and colorless to turbid, signaling formation of a chloroalkane. It is based on the difference in reactivity of the three classes of alcohols. The differing reactivity reflects the differing ease of formation of the corresponding carbocations. Tertiary carbocations are far more stable than secondary carbocations, and primary carbocations are the least stable

Problem 1 You are a new research manager and want to launch a stra...