Chemical Test to Distinguish between Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

Saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons are two types of organic compounds that differ in their chemical properties. Saturated hydrocarbons contain only single bonds between carbon atoms and are therefore saturated with hydrogen atoms. On the other hand, unsaturated hydrocarbons contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms and are unsaturated with hydrogen atoms. There are various chemical tests that can be used to distinguish between these two types of hydrocarbons.

Bromine Water Test

One of the most common tests used to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons is the bromine water test. This test involves adding a few drops of bromine water to the hydrocarbon sample and observing the color change.

- If the hydrocarbon is saturated, there will be no reaction with bromine water and no color change will occur.
- If the hydrocarbon is unsaturated, the double or triple bond will react with the bromine water and the solution will turn from orange to colorless.

This test is based on the fact that bromine water is a strong oxidizing agent that reacts readily with unsaturated bonds but does not react with saturated bonds.

Combustion Test

Another test that can be used to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons is the combustion test. This test involves burning the hydrocarbon sample and observing the flame.

- If the hydrocarbon is saturated, it will burn cleanly with a blue flame.
- If the hydrocarbon is unsaturated, it will burn with a sooty flame due to incomplete combustion.

This test is based on the fact that unsaturated hydrocarbons contain carbon-carbon double or triple bonds that are more reactive and produce more soot when burned.

Hydrogenation Test

The hydrogenation test is another test that can be used to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. This test involves adding hydrogen gas to the hydrocarbon sample in the presence of a catalyst and observing the reaction.

- If the hydrocarbon is unsaturated, it will react with the hydrogen gas and the double or triple bond will be converted to a single bond. The reaction will produce a saturated hydrocarbon.
- If the hydrocarbon is saturated, it will not react with the hydrogen gas and no reaction will occur.

This test is based on the fact that unsaturated hydrocarbons can be converted to saturated hydrocarbons by adding hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst.

In conclusion, the bromine water test, combustion test, and hydrogenation test are three chemical tests that can be used to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. These tests are based on the different chemical properties of these two types of hydrocarbons and can be used to identify the presence of double or triple bonds in organic compounds.

Use potassium permanganate to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon
on adding pink coloured KMnO4 in test tubes containing saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon KMnO4 would lose its pink colour in test tube containing unsaturated hydrocarbon but the same will not happen in test tube containing saturated hydrocarbon