CHEM2L Activity 1

I. DISCUSSION: Differences between organic and inorganic compounds based on structure, type of bond and some common physical and chemical properties.

II. PROCEDURE:
A. SOLUBILITY
1. To 2 mL. each of the following solvents: water, ethyl alcohol and ether, add a pinch of benzoic acid and shake.

2. Repeat no. 1 using common table salt instead of benzoic acid.

3. Tabulate your results as follows indicating if benzoic acid and table salt are soluble or insoluble in the solvents used.

WATER
ETHYL ALCOHOL
ETHER
BENZOIC ACID
Insoluble
Soluble
Soluble
SODIUM CHLORIDE
Soluble
Insoluble
Insoluble

In what type of compound is benzoic acid soluble? It is inorganic so benzoic acid is soluble in inorganic compounds.
In what type of compound is sodium chloride soluble? Sodium chloride is organic so it dissolves in organic compounds.
Give a general statement as to the difference in solubility of organic & inorganic compounds. A polar solute dissolves in a polar solvent (like dissolves like) so organic compounds only dissolves in organic solvents and this is the same with inorganic compounds, they only dissolve in inorganic solvents.
B. MELTING AND BOILING POINTS

Which of the two compounds melted first? Benzoic acid melted first than sodium chloride.

5. Slightly increase the flame until the water in the beaker boils. 6. Observe which of the three liquids will boil first, second and last.

Observation: Ether boiled first, ethyl alcohol boiled second and water boiled