CHEM 120 Week 5 Lab: Organic Chemistry
Student Name
Chamberlain University
CHEM-120 Intro to General, Organic & Biological Chemistry
Prof. Name
Date
OL Lab 9: Building Models of Organic Compounds
Learning Objectives
The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to enhance understanding of organic compounds by creating virtual molecular models and representing them through extended structural formulas. Specifically, this lab aims to:
- Construct digital 3D models to explore the molecular structure of organic compounds.
- Develop extended structural formulas for various organic molecules.
Organic compounds are chemical substances primarily composed of carbon atoms, often accompanied by hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and occasionally other elements. Carbon’s ability to form diverse covalent bonds results in a vast variety of organic molecules with unique properties. These compounds are foundational to life, constituting most biomolecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) and many pharmaceutical agents.
This exercise involves using the MolView online modeling tool to construct and visualize organic molecules. The hands-on modeling approach deepens understanding of molecular geometry, bonding, and functional groups.
Online Modeling Resource: http://molview.org/
Exploration 1: Building Models of Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons consist solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They can exist in multiple forms—linear, branched, or cyclic—and may be saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic.
Using MolView, the extended structural formulas for the following hydrocarbons were created and paired with their condensed formulas.
Table 1
Hydrocarbons and Their Condensed Structural Formulas
| Compound | Condensed Structural Formula |
|---|---|
| Propane | CH₃CH₂CH₃ |
| Butane | CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ |
| Isobutane | (CH₃)₃CH |
| Isopentane | (CH₃)₂CHCH₂CH₃ |
| Ethylene | CH₂=CH₂ |
| Ethyne | HC≡CH |
| Cyclohexene | C₆H₁₀ |
| Benzene | C₆H₆ |
| Propyne | CH₃C≡CH |
| Ethane | CH₃CH₃ |
Exploration 2: Identification of Functional Groups
Part 2A: Building Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific arrangements of atoms within a molecule that determine its chemical reactivity and physical properties. Using MolView, extended structural formulas for the following functional groups were modeled:
- Alcohol
- Ether
- Ketone
- Carboxylic Acid
- Aldehyde
- Ester
- Amine
Part 2B: Functional Group Identification
The following table identifies the functional group type and the name of each organic molecule from the given condensed structural formulas.
Table 2
Identification of Functional Groups in Organic Molecules
| Condensed Structural Formula | Functional Group | Organic Molecule Name |
|---|---|---|
| CH₃CH₂COCH₃ | Ketone | Butanone |
| CH₃CH₂CHO | Aldehyde | Propanal |
| CH₃OH | Alcohol | Methanol |
| CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ | Amine | Pentylamine |
| CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH | Carboxylic Acid | Butanoic Acid |
Exploration 3: Building Hydrocarbons Containing Functional Groups
In this section, organic molecules containing functional groups were modeled virtually.
- Difluoromethane
- Trichloromethane
- Tetrachloromethane
- Propanol
- Ethanoic Acid
Additionally, propanol and ethanoic acid were combined to produce propyl ethanoate (an ester).
Other compounds modeled include:
- Phenol
- Dimethyl Ether (CH₃OCH₃)
- Propanal (CH₃CH₂CHO)
- Hexanoic Acid (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂COOH)
- Ethylamine (CH₃CH₂NH₂)
Questions and Answers
- Write the names of a biomolecule (also known as macromolecules) that contain each of the functional groups below.
- Amine – Proteins (e.g., amino acids such as lysine)
- Aldehyde – Carbohydrates (e.g., glyceraldehyde)
- Carboxylic Acid – Lipids (e.g., fatty acids)
- Alcohol – Carbohydrates (e.g., glucose)
- Find an example of an ester used as a fragrance or flavoring and give the name, condensed structural formula, and flavor of your chosen ester.
- Example: Methyl butanoate
- Condensed Structural Formula: CH₃CH₂CH₂COOCH₃
- Flavor: Apple-like aroma used in flavorings and perfumes
- For each of the following, give the functional group and application:
CHEM 120 Week 5 Lab: Organic Chemistry
Table 3
Functional Groups and Their Applications
| Compound | Functional Group | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | Aldehyde | Used for tissue preservation in biology labs |
| Ethanol | Alcohol | Utilized as an antiseptic and in hand sanitizers |
| Acetone | Ketone | Solvent in nail polish removers and cleaning agents |
| Phenol | Aromatic Hydroxyl | Used in disinfectant sprays and antiseptics |
Reflection
This virtual laboratory activity offered valuable insight into the structures, naming conventions, and functional groups of organic compounds. I learned how to differentiate functional groups based on their placement within condensed structural formulas and how their presence influences a molecule’s reactivity and properties.
Visualizing extended structural formulas helped me understand molecular geometry and bond arrangements, while practicing the IUPAC naming system reinforced my grasp of organic nomenclature. Although certain compounds can have multiple accepted names, learning the systematic method makes interpretation more consistent.
Understanding ester formation, for instance, clarified how acids and alcohols combine in a specific sequence to yield distinct products. This knowledge directly applies to real-world contexts—such as interpreting chemical safety data sheets (SDS), identifying substances in pharmaceuticals, and recognizing chemicals in environmental monitoring.
In professional practice, such skills are crucial for chemical handling, product formulation, and hazard communication. Being able to analyze and identify compounds at a glance can enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation in various scientific and industrial settings.
References
Brown, W. H., Iverson, B. L., Anslyn, E. V., & Foote, C. S. (2018). Organic Chemistry (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Bruice, P. Y. (2016). Organic Chemistry (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
CHEM 120 Week 5 Lab: Organic Chemistry
Solomons, T. W. G., Fryhle, C. B., & Snyder, S. A. (2016). Organic Chemistry (12th ed.). Wiley.