Orgo Lab Report PP #7

With the addition of heat, cyclohexanol was catalyzed by 85% phosphoric acid using fractional distillation and gas chromatography. IR spectra and chemical tests of bromine in dichloromethane and potassium permanganate were then performed on the product to identify it. After the tests, it was concluded that it was cyclohexene, which was obtained at a 28.48% yield. The characterization methods used in this experiment were gas chromatography, IR spectra, and chemical tests of bromine in dichloromethane and potassium permanganate. The gas chromatography provides analysis and evidence of the purity of the cyclohexene in the obtained product. Since there was only one peak, only one product, 100% pure cyclohexene, was formed. Both results from the chemical tests conducted indicated the presence of an alkene. The first chemical test of bromine in dichloromethane yielded a colorless substance. The second chemical test of potassium permanganate yielded a brownish precipitate that eventually became clear. The color changes found in both test were a cause of the chemicals interacting with an alkene functional group, suggesting that the product is most likely cyclohexene.