Question

What are the six steps that constitute the classic method for organic compound identification?

Answer 1

Classic Method of Organic Compound Identification:

         1. Preliminary Examination of Physical and Chemical Characteristics: These tests include observation of color , odour, texture of the sample and Chemical features like acidity, basicity, aromaticity, unsaturation etc.

         2. Determination of Physical Constants: These tests include determination of Melting Point, Boiling Point, Optical Rotation, Density, Refractive Index etc.

         3. Elemental Analysis: These tests are called Lassigne's Test as a whole. A sodium fusion of the organic sample is carried out and the sodium extract is tested for presence of Nitrogen, Halogens and Sulfur.

         4. Solubility Test: The solubility of the organic sample is checked in different solvents like water, Dil. HCl, Dil. NaOH and Dil. NaHCO3. The solubility provides an idea about the chemical characteristics of the sample.

        5. Functional Group Analysis: Presence of different functional groups in the sample is then tested.

        6. Derivatization: The final step is derivatization of the sample by Functional Group Interconversion.