synthesis of cyclohexene discussion cont

Cyclohexanol was reacted via dehydration reaction in the presence of 85% phosphoric acid and cyclohexene was obtained in 28.1% yield. The product was identified to be cyclohexene via gas chromatography, IR spectroscopy and chemical testing. The presence of stretch at 1653 indicates a carbon-carbon double-bond, which would not be present in the starting material. The gas chromatography also did not show -OH band stretching at wavelength 3400-3500, which would have been seen in the starting material. IR spectroscopy also revealed only one compound to be present in essence, accounting for 99.95% of total area. Chemical bromine and potassium permanganate tests both indicated results congruent with those of an alkene (colorless when bromine solution added and brown precipitate formation when potassium permanganate added). Higher yield during distillation could be obtained by heating at a slower rate. Washing methods also could be altered to obtain a higher yield of product.