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Q8.21:
Discuss the chemistry of Lassaigne’s test.
Solution :
1. Theoretical Foundation of Lassaigne’s Test
Lassaigne’s test, also known as the sodium fusion test, is a qualitative analytical procedure used to detect the presence of Nitrogen ($N$), Sulphur ($S$), and Halogens ($X = Cl, Br, I$) in organic compounds. Organic compounds are typically covalent, meaning these elements are not present as ions. The test functions by converting these covalent elements into their respective water-soluble ionic forms through fusion with molten sodium metal. [Per the principle of ionic transformation of covalent organic constituents].
2. Sodium Fusion Procedure
A small piece of dry sodium metal is heated in a fusion tube until it melts into a shining globule. The organic compound is added, and the tube is heated strongly until it becomes red hot. The fused mass is then plunged into distilled water, crushed, and filtered. The filtrate, known as the Sodium Fusion Extract (SFE), contains the ions necessary for qualitative analysis.
3. Chemical Reactions and Analytical Identification
A. Detection of Nitrogen
If Nitrogen is present, it reacts with molten sodium to form sodium cyanide ($NaCN$).
$Na + C + N \xrightarrow{\Delta} NaCN$
The extract is treated with freshly prepared ferrous sulphate ($FeSO_4$), which reacts to form sodium ferrocyanide:
$FeSO_4 + 6NaCN \rightarrow Na_4[Fe(CN)_6] + Na_2SO_4$
Upon acidification with concentrated sulphuric acid, some $Fe^{2+}$ ions oxidize to $Fe^{3+}$ ions, forming ferric ferrocyanide, which precipitates as a Prussian blue colored complex.
$3Na_4[Fe(CN)_6] + 4Fe^{3+} \rightarrow Fe_4[Fe(CN)_6]_3 \cdot xH_2O$
B. Detection of Sulphur
Sodium reacts with organic sulphur to form sodium sulphide ($Na_2S$):
$2Na + S \rightarrow Na_2S$
The $Na_2S$ is identified by adding sodium nitroprusside, yielding a violet coloration:
$Na_2S + Na_2[Fe(CN)_5NO] \rightarrow Na_4[Fe(CN)_5NOS]$
C. Detection of Halogens
Sodium reacts with halogens ($X$) to form sodium halides ($NaX$):
$Na + X \rightarrow NaX$ (where $X = Cl, Br, I$)
The SFE is acidified with nitric acid ($HNO_3$) to remove $CN^-$ or $S^{2-}$ ions (which would otherwise interfere as $HCN$ or $H_2S$ gas), then silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) is added:
$Ag^+ + X^- \rightarrow AgX \downarrow$
4. Summary Table of Test Outcomes
| Element Detected | Resulting Species in SFE | Reagent Added | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | $CN^-$ | $FeSO_4 + conc. H_2SO_4$ | Prussian Blue Color |
| Sulphur | $S^{2-}$ | Sodium Nitroprusside | Violet/Purple Color |
| Halogens | $X^-$ | $AgNO_3$ | $AgCl$ (White), $AgBr$ (Pale Yellow), $AgI$ (Yellow) |
5. Visual Representation of Fusion Process
Final Solution: Lassaigne’s test successfully converts covalent organic constituents into ionic salts ($NaCN$, $Na_2S$, $NaX$) through molten sodium fusion, allowing for standard inorganic qualitative precipitation and colorimetric identification.
More Questions from Class 11 Chemistry Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques EXERCISES
- Q8.1: What are hybridisation states of each carbon atom in the following compounds ? $CH_2=C=O$, $CH_3CH=CH_2$, $(CH_3)_2CO$, $CH_2=CHCN$, $C_6H_6$
- Q8.10: Explain why alkyl groups act as electron donors when attached to a $\pi$ system.
- Q8.11 (a): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (a) $C_6H_5OH$
- Q8.11 (b): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (b) $C_6H_5NO_2$
- Q8.11 (c): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (c) $CH_3CH=CHCHO$
- Q8.11 (d): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (d) $C_6H_5–CHO$
- Q8.11 (e): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (e) $C_6H_5–C^+H_2$
- Q8.11 (f): Draw the resonance structures for the following compounds. Show the electron shift using curved-arrow notation. (f) $CH_3CH=CHC^+H_2$
- Q8.12: What are electrophiles and nucleophiles ? Explain with examples.
- Q8.13 (a): Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles: (a) $CH_3COOH + HO^– \rightarrow CH_3COO^–+H_2O$
- Q8.13 (b): Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles: (b) $CH_3COCH_3+ C^–N \rightarrow (CH_3)_2C(CN)(OH)$
- Q8.13 (c): Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles: (c) $C_6H_6 + CH_3C^+O \rightarrow C_6H_5COCH_3$
- Q8.14 (a): Classify the following reactions in one of the reaction type studied in this unit. (a) $CH_3CH_2Br + HS^– \rightarrow CH_3CH_2SH + Br^–$
- Q8.14 (b): Classify the following reactions in one of the reaction type studied in this unit. (b) $(CH_3)_2C = CH_2 + HCl \rightarrow (CH_3)_2ClC – CH_3$
- Q8.14 (c): Classify the following reactions in one of the reaction type studied in this unit. (c) $CH_3CH_2Br + HO^– \rightarrow CH_2 = CH_2 + H_2O + Br^–$
- Q8.14 (d): Classify the following reactions in one of the reaction type studied in this unit. (d) $(CH_3)_3C– CH_2OH + HBr \rightarrow (CH_3)_2CBrCH_2CH_2CH_3 + H_2O$
- Q8.15: What is the relationship between the members of following pairs of structures ? Are they structural or geometrical isomers or resonance contributors ? (c)
- Q8.15: What is the relationship between the members of following pairs of structures ? Are they structural or geometrical isomers or resonance contributors ? (b)
- Q8.15: What is the relationship between the members of following pairs of structures ? Are they structural or geometrical isomers or resonance contributors ? (a)
- Q8.16: For the following bond cleavages, use curved-arrows to show the electron flow and classify each as homolysis or heterolysis. Identify reactive intermediate produced as free radical, carbocation and carbanion. (c)
- Q8.16: For the following bond cleavages, use curved-arrows to show the electron flow and classify each as homolysis or heterolysis. Identify reactive intermediate produced as free radical, carbocation and carbanion. (d)
- Q8.16: For the following bond cleavages, use curved-arrows to show the electron flow and classify each as homolysis or heterolysis. Identify reactive intermediate produced as free radical, carbocation and carbanion. (b)
- Q8.16: For the following bond cleavages, use curved-arrows to show the electron flow and classify each as homolysis or heterolysis. Identify reactive intermediate produced as free radical, carbocation and carbanion. (a)
- Q8.17 (a): Explain the terms Inductive and Electromeric effects. Which electron displacement effect explains the following correct orders of acidity of the carboxylic acids? (a) $Cl_3CCOOH > Cl_2CHCOOH > ClCH_2COOH$
- Q8.17 (b): Explain the terms Inductive and Electromeric effects. Which electron displacement effect explains the following correct orders of acidity of the carboxylic acids? (b) $CH_3CH_2COOH > (CH_3)_2CHCOOH > (CH_3)_3C.COOH$
- Q8.18 (a): Give a brief description of the principles of the following techniques taking an example in each case. (a) Crystallisation
- Q8.18 (b): Give a brief description of the principles of the following techniques taking an example in each case. (b) Distillation
- Q8.18 (c): Give a brief description of the principles of the following techniques taking an example in each case. (c) Chromatography
- Q8.19: Describe the method, which can be used to separate two compounds with different solubilities in a solvent S.
- Q8.2: Indicate the $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonds in the following molecules : $C_6H_6$, $C_6H_{12}$, $CH_2Cl_2$, $CH_2=C=CH_2$, $CH_3NO_2$, $HCONHCH_3$
- Q8.20: What is the difference between distillation, distillation under reduced pressure and steam distillation ?
- Q8.22: Differentiate between the principle of estimation of nitrogen in an organic compound by (i) Dumas method and (ii) Kjeldahl’s method.
- Q8.23: Discuss the principle of estimation of halogens, sulphur and phosphorus present in an organic compound.
- Q8.24: Explain the principle of paper chromatography.
- Q8.25: Why is nitric acid added to sodium extract before adding silver nitrate for testing halogens?
- Q8.26: Explain the reason for the fusion of an organic compound with metallic sodium for testing nitrogen, sulphur and halogens.
- Q8.27: Name a suitable technique of separation of the components from a mixture of calcium sulphate and camphor.
- Q8.28: Explain, why an organic liquid vaporises at a temperature below its boiling point in its steam distillation ?
- Q8.29: Will $CCl_4$ give white precipitate of AgCl on heating it with silver nitrate? Give reason for your answer.
- Q8.3: Write bond line formulas for : Isopropyl alcohol, 2,3-Dimethylbutanal, Heptan-4-one.
- Q8.30: Why is a solution of potassium hydroxide used to absorb carbon dioxide evolved during the estimation of carbon present in an organic compound?
- Q8.31: Why is it necessary to use acetic acid and not sulphuric acid for acidification of sodium extract for testing sulphur by lead acetate test?
- Q8.32: An organic compound contains 69% carbon and 4.8% hydrogen, the remainder being oxygen. Calculate the masses of carbon dioxide and water produced when 0.20 g of this substance is subjected to complete combustion.
- Q8.33: A sample of 0.50 g of an organic compound was treated according to Kjeldahl’s method. The ammonia evolved was absorbed in 50 ml of 0.5 M $H_2SO_4$. The residual acid required 60 mL of 0.5 M solution of NaOH for neutralisation. Find the percentage composition of nitrogen in the compound.
- Q8.34: 0.3780 g of an organic chloro compound gave 0.5740 g of silver chloride in Carius estimation. Calculate the percentage of chlorine present in the compound.
- Q8.35: In the estimation of sulphur by Carius method, 0.468 g of an organic sulphur compound afforded 0.668 g of barium sulphate. Find out the percentage of sulphur in the given compound.
- Q8.36: In the organic compound $CH_2 = CH – CH_2 – CH_2 – C \equiv CH$, the pair of hydridised orbitals involved in the formation of: $C_2 – C_3$ bond is:
- Q8.37: In the Lassaigne’s test for nitrogen in an organic compound, the Prussian blue colour is obtained due to the formation of:
- Q8.38: Which of the following carbocation is most stable ?
- Q8.39: The best and latest technique for isolation, purification and separation of organic compounds is:
- Q8.4: Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (a)
- Q8.4: Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (b)
- Q8.4: Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (c)
- Q8.4: Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (d)
- Q8.4: Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (e)
- Q8.4 (f): Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (f) $Cl_2CHCH_2OH$
- Q8.40: The reaction: $CH_3CH_2I + KOH(aq) \rightarrow CH_3CH_2OH + KI$ is classified as :
- Q8.5 (a): Which of the following represents the correct IUPAC name for the compounds concerned ? (a) 2,2-Dimethylpentane or 2-Dimethylpentane
- Q8.5 (b): Which of the following represents the correct IUPAC name for the compounds concerned ? (b) 2,4,7-Trimethyloctane or 2,5,7-Trimethyloctane
- Q8.5 (c): Which of the following represents the correct IUPAC name for the compounds concerned ? (c) 2-Chloro-4-methylpentane or 4-Chloro-2-methylpentane
- Q8.5 (d): Which of the following represents the correct IUPAC name for the compounds concerned ? (d) But-3-yn-1-ol or But-4-ol-1-yne.
- Q8.6 (a): Draw formulas for the first five members of each homologous series beginning with the following compounds. (a) H–COOH
- Q8.6 (b): Draw formulas for the first five members of each homologous series beginning with the following compounds. (b) $CH_3COCH_3$
- Q8.6 (c): Draw formulas for the first five members of each homologous series beginning with the following compounds. (c) H–CH=CH2
- Q8.7 (a): Give condensed and bond line structural formulas and identify the functional group(s) present, if any, for : (a) 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
- Q8.7 (b): Give condensed and bond line structural formulas and identify the functional group(s) present, if any, for : (b) 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
- Q8.7 (c): Give condensed and bond line structural formulas and identify the functional group(s) present, if any, for : (c) Hexanedial
- Q8.8: Identify the functional groups in the following compounds (c)
- Q8.8: Identify the functional groups in the following compounds (b)
- Q8.8: Identify the functional groups in the following compounds (a)
- Q8.9: Which of the two: $O_2NCH_2CH_2O^–$ or $CH_3CH_2O^–$ is expected to be more stable and why?
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