Test For Unsaturation in Organic Compound

In an organic compound, unsaturation is due to the presence of double (>C=C<) or triple (–C≡C–) bonds in the molecule. The presence of unsaturation is tested by the following two methods:

1. Bromine water test
2. Baeyer's test (using 1% alkaline potassium permanganate solution)

Bromine Water Test

The organic compound is treated with bromine water drop wise. The decolourisation of bromine water shows the presence of unsaturation in the organic compound.

Baeyer's Test

The organic compound is treated with an aqueous solution of alkaline potassium permanganate (Baeyer's reagent). The disappearance of the pink colour of potassium permanganate shows the presence of unsaturation.

How To Perform Experiment

Bromine Water Test

To a solution of 0.2 g of the organic compound in water or CCl₄, add bromine water or bromine in CCl₄ drop wise. Shake the mixture after each addition.

Baeyer's Test

To the organic compound (0.5 g) add 1 mL of 0.5% aq. KMnO₄ solution drop wise.

Precautions

1. Do not inhale the bromine water or bromine in carbon tetrachloride.

2. If the compound is soluble in water, use bromine water for testing. If the compound is insoluble in water, then dissolved 5 mL of the compound (liquid) or a pinch of the solid in 1 mL of carbon tetrachloride and test it with bromine in carbon tetrachloride solution.

3. Add the reagents drop wise.