Chemistry Lab: Molecular Formulas

In 2 week long Chemistry lab I was given unknown liquid numbered 29 which I had to find through the experiments that I learned from the beginning of the semester. After conducting experiments I acquired empirical formula, molecular weight, molecular formula, density and boiling point temperature in order for me to find what the substance is. Using molecular formula I plan on looking into few websites that my professor provided us such as: ChemBlink, ChemSpider and PubChem to help me find what substances I should be looking into. After acquiring all the substances with similar molecular formula I plan to apply density and boiling point and eliminate substances that do not closely or at all match up with my data. Once I acquire my unknown substance name, I will run confirmatory IR to make sure that my unknown substance is what I assume it is.

By talking molecular formula and searching in ChemBlink and ChemSpider, I was able to retrieve 5 substances which share same molecular formula. These 5 substances are 2-Propanol also known as Isopropyl alcohol, 1-propanol also known as propyl alcohol, ethyl methyl ether also known as Methoxyethane, 2-hydroxypropan-2-yl radical and Propanol.

During my Graphical Analysis of Data experiment I was able to retrieve a density of my unknown 29 volatile liquid to be as 0.7832 g/mL. My first substance that I retrieved is 2-Propanol also known as Isopropyl Alcohol which has a density of 0.785 g/mL (ChemBlink). 2-Propanol is very close density wise to my experimental value therefore; I will keep the 2-Propanol as one of the options for my unknown 29. My second substance that I retrieved is 1-Propanol also known as Propyl Alcohol has a density of 0.8 g/mL (ChemBlink), 1-Propanol is off from my experiment...

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In conclusion, after long 2 week experiment on the unknown 29, through finding density, molecular weight, molecular formula, boiling point and IR spectrum I was able to identify my unknown 29 to be 2-Propanol also known as Isopropyl Alcohol. Comparing density between my experimental data and my actual data was slightly off but I did get close enough to match it. Boiling point was right on the dot for my unknown and IR spectrum came out almost as the same as I expected. In this experiment I learned what how to view and interpret the IR spectrum by reading peaks and fingerprint patterns and with that pick up the specific functioning group to narrow down the suspected Organic compound to find my unknown. I also learned how write a research paper on unknown liquid and how to put together a data and calculate for my unknown substance through few experiments.