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Organic - Chemistry - Laboratory - Procedures - 4 - Melting Point

The document discusses the concept of melting point, which is the temperature at which a solid transitions to a liquid, and how it can indicate the purity of organic compounds. It outlines the procedure for determining melting points, including the use of specific equipment and the importance of observing temperature ranges. Additionally, it highlights the significance of melting point depression in identifying unknown compounds and the potential for some substances to decompose rather than melt.

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14 views4 pages

Organic - Chemistry - Laboratory - Procedures - 4 - Melting Point

The document discusses the concept of melting point, which is the temperature at which a solid transitions to a liquid, and how it can indicate the purity of organic compounds. It outlines the procedure for determining melting points, including the use of specific equipment and the importance of observing temperature ranges. Additionally, it highlights the significance of melting point depression in identifying unknown compounds and the potential for some substances to decompose rather than melt.

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MELTING POINT

The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which the substance begins to change
from a solid to a liquid. Pure organic compounds have very defined melting points.
Through the use of these melting points, the purity of the compound can be determined.
Contaminants normally lower the melting point and broaden the melting point range (the
temperature at which melting starts and the temperature at which the substance is melted).
Narrow range melting points are normally indicative of the purity of an organic compound.
Extremely pure compounds have ranges of 0.1 to 0.3 C. Commercially available
compounds (technical grade) have ranges of 2-3 C. The normal laboratory grade organic
(ACS) compounds have a 1 C range. The larger the melting point range, the less pure the
compound.

The melting point range is the temperature range between where a compound starts to
melt and completely melts (becomes liquid). It is highly recommended that during a
melting point determination, the temperature be slowly increased. This enables one to
observe the change and temperature range.

Sometimes, mixtures of two organic compounds with the same individual melting point
have a much lower melting point. This temperature depression is useful for determining
unknowns. When an unknown is identified as a suspected compound, this compound can
be mixed with a known compound of identical melting point. The melting point depression
can confirm whether the suspected organic compound is indeed the correct assumption.

Not all organic compounds melt. Some substance will decompose, discolor, soften and/or
shrink as they are heated. If possible, a reference compound should be compared. If a
compound decomposes, this temperature is normally a reliable indicator. The temperature
is followed by the letter "d" to indicate decomposition (198 d).

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CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT
Paraffin Oil Benzamide
Thiele tube Acetanilide
250 C Thermometer p-dichlorobenzene
Capillary tube Urea
Bunsen burner Naphthalene

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to perform a melting point determination.


The student should be able to determine the compound and relative purity given the
melting point.

PROCEDURE

1. Assemble the melting point apparatus (Figure 1 or 2) as directed by instructor.

2. Fill a capillary tube with the compound to a height of approximately 3 - 4 mm. This
can be accomplished by pressing the upper end of the capillary tube into the
compound and then tapping the closed end on the table.

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3. Attach the capillary tube to the thermometer using a small piece of rubber tubing or
a rubber band. The bottom of the capillary tube should be even with the
thermometer bulb.

4. Gradually heat the arm of the thiele tube. The rate of heating should be about 2 C
per minute.

5. When the solid in the capillary tube starts to melt, observe the melting point
temperature. When the solid completely melts, observe the temperature. The two
temperatures are called the melting point range.

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6. Do the melting points of the following organic compounds:

Acetanilide
Benzamide
Naphthalene
p-dichlorobenzene
urea

7. Compare the experimental melting points with the theoretical melting points (found
in reference books and indicate your references on your report).

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