Undoubtedly, organic chemistry is a vast field of study that revolves around the chemistry of carbon-based molecules. In organic chemistry, various types of chemical tests are conducted to identify and verify the presence or absence of functional groups in compounds. One such test is the Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) test. This test is used to determine the presence of alcohol functional group in organic compounds. It generates a redox reaction that forms an orange or red color that indicates the presence of a chemical component that can reduce ceric ammonium nitrate [(NH4)4Ce(NO3)6]. However, in some cases, this test shows some unexpected results that baffle the chemists. One such phenomenon is when ethyl acetate produces a red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test. This article delves into the possible explanations of this phenomenon.
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test and Its Principle
The Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test is a redox reaction that involves the oxidation of alcohol groups (usually primary and secondary alcohols) to aldehyde and ketone through a ceric ion [(NH4)2Ce(NO3)6] as an oxidizing agent. The ceric ion (Ce4+) is a strongly oxidizing agent that reacts with the alcohol (ROH) to create an aldehyde or ketone and a cerous ion (Ce3+).
The reaction generates an orange-red color due to the formation of cerium(IV) nitrate. This color is what indicates the presence of an alcohol functional group in a compound.
Ethyl Acetate and Its Properties
Ethyl acetate is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet, fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C4H8O2, and it is commonly used in the manufacturing of coatings, adhesives, and synthetic leather. It is also used as a solvent in pharmaceuticals and food items. In the Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test, it is expected to cause no reaction because it does not have any alcohol or alcoholic functional group.
Explanations to Ethyl Acetate Producing Red Color on Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test
There are some possible explanations for why ethyl acetate may produce a red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test, even though it does not have an alcohol functional group.
The presence of Bis(long-chain alkyl) hydrogen phosphates (BHPs) in ethyl acetate can be the cause of the positive test result. BHPs are common contaminants of ethyl acetate and may react with Ceric Ammonium Nitrate to form a red colored compound. BHPs are also known as surfactants and are ubiquitous in household and personal care products such as detergents, shampoos, and soaps.
Peroxides Formation
The presence of peroxides in ethyl acetate may cause the red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test. Peroxides can form in ethyl acetate as a result of prolonged exposure to air, UV light, or the presence of transition metal ions. Peroxides can cause the oxidation of ceric ions(Ce4+) to cerous ions(Ce3+), which can further cause the reduction of the ceric ammonium nitrate to form a red color.
Contamination of reagents
Another possible explanation for the red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test could be contamination of reagents. This can be due to the presence of any impurities in the Ceric ammonium nitrate or other reagents used in the test.
Conclusion
The Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test is efficient in identifying the presence of alcohol functional groups in organic compounds. However, it can produce unexpected results in some cases, such as when ethyl acetate produces red color on the test. It is important to consider all potential explanations, such as BHP contamination, peroxide formation, or reagent contamination, before making any conclusions as to the cause of the phenomenon. This article only explored a few of the potential causes, and there may still be more unknown factors that need to be discovered in the study of this field.
Ethyl Acetate Produces Red Colour On Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test
Undoubtedly, organic chemistry is a vast field of study that revolves around the chemistry of carbon-based molecules. In organic chemistry, various types of chemical tests are conducted to identify and verify the presence or absence of functional groups in compounds. One such test is the Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) test. This test is used to determine the presence of alcohol functional group in organic compounds. It generates a redox reaction that forms an orange or red color that indicates the presence of a chemical component that can reduce ceric ammonium nitrate [(NH4)4Ce(NO3)6]. However, in some cases, this test shows some unexpected results that baffle the chemists. One such phenomenon is when ethyl acetate produces a red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test. This article delves into the possible explanations of this phenomenon.
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test and Its Principle
The Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test is a redox reaction that involves the oxidation of alcohol groups (usually primary and secondary alcohols) to aldehyde and ketone through a ceric ion [(NH4)2Ce(NO3)6] as an oxidizing agent. The ceric ion (Ce4+) is a strongly oxidizing agent that reacts with the alcohol (ROH) to create an aldehyde or ketone and a cerous ion (Ce3+).
The general reaction is:
The reaction generates an orange-red color due to the formation of cerium(IV) nitrate. This color is what indicates the presence of an alcohol functional group in a compound.
Ethyl Acetate and Its Properties
Ethyl acetate is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet, fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C4H8O2, and it is commonly used in the manufacturing of coatings, adhesives, and synthetic leather. It is also used as a solvent in pharmaceuticals and food items. In the Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test, it is expected to cause no reaction because it does not have any alcohol or alcoholic functional group.
Explanations to Ethyl Acetate Producing Red Color on Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test
There are some possible explanations for why ethyl acetate may produce a red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test, even though it does not have an alcohol functional group.
Bis(long-chain alkyl) hydrogen phosphates contamination
The presence of Bis(long-chain alkyl) hydrogen phosphates (BHPs) in ethyl acetate can be the cause of the positive test result. BHPs are common contaminants of ethyl acetate and may react with Ceric Ammonium Nitrate to form a red colored compound. BHPs are also known as surfactants and are ubiquitous in household and personal care products such as detergents, shampoos, and soaps.
Peroxides Formation
The presence of peroxides in ethyl acetate may cause the red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test. Peroxides can form in ethyl acetate as a result of prolonged exposure to air, UV light, or the presence of transition metal ions. Peroxides can cause the oxidation of ceric ions(Ce4+) to cerous ions(Ce3+), which can further cause the reduction of the ceric ammonium nitrate to form a red color.
Contamination of reagents
Another possible explanation for the red color on a Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test could be contamination of reagents. This can be due to the presence of any impurities in the Ceric ammonium nitrate or other reagents used in the test.
Conclusion
The Ceric Ammonium Nitrate test is efficient in identifying the presence of alcohol functional groups in organic compounds. However, it can produce unexpected results in some cases, such as when ethyl acetate produces red color on the test. It is important to consider all potential explanations, such as BHP contamination, peroxide formation, or reagent contamination, before making any conclusions as to the cause of the phenomenon. This article only explored a few of the potential causes, and there may still be more unknown factors that need to be discovered in the study of this field.