Experiment No. 11: DETECTION OF ACETONE PRESENT IN GIVEN ORGANIC COMPOUND
OBJECTIVE:
TO IDENTIFY THE ORGANIC COMPOUND PRESENT IN THE GIVEN ORGANIC SAMPLE
APPARATUS REQUIRED
- Watch glass
- Tong
- Burner
- Porcelain basin
- Beaker
- Test tube
CHEMICALS REQUIRED
- Given organic sample
- Blue and red litmus paper
- Other reagent
THEORY
Organic compounds are hydrocarbon and their derivatives. They are mainly made up of two parts- alkyl and functional group part. The functional group is defined as the atom or group of atoms that determines the characteristic properties of the organic compound. Some examples of functional groups are -OH, -CHO, -COOH, etc.
PROCEDURE
First of all, a preliminary test was performed. Then confirmatory test was done to identify the given organic compound.
OBSERVATION
1. Preliminary test:
a. Solubility: Soluble in water
b. Odour: Fruity odour
c. Colour: Colourless
d. Litmus paper test: Neutral
e. Residue test :
Experiment | Observation | Inference |
Residue/Evaporation test: A few drops of the solution were evaporated on the watch glass over the water bath. | No residue | May be acetone |
Confirmatory Test
1. Legal test:

2. Iodoform test

3.

Test of acetone
Experiment | Observation | Inference |
1. Legal’s test: 2 ml of the original solution was taken in a clean and dry test tube and a few drops of NaOH solution were added to it. Then freshly prepared dilute nitroprusside solution was added to it. | A red colour was seen that disappeared on heating and reappeared on cooling. | Presence of acetone |
2. Iodoform test: 2 ml of the original solution was taken in a clean and dry test tube and a few drops of iodine solution was added to it followed by NaOH solution dropwise till brown colour disappeared and warmed over the water bath at 70°C. | A yellow crystalline precipitate of iodoform was formed. | Presence of acetone |
3. 2 ml of the original solution was taken in a clean and dry test tube and a few drops of meta dinitro benzene were added followed by excess NaOH solution and shaken well. | The violet colour was obtained. | Presence of acetone |
Reactions involved
RESULT
Hence, acetone was found in the given organic solution.
CONCLUSION
Hence, organic compounds can be tested using specific reagents.
PRECAUTION
- Apparatus should be handled carefully.
- The sample should be taken in small amounts.
- Heating should be done carefully.
Structure:

IUPAC name: Propanone
Common name: Acetone