Functional Group Analysis in Undergraduate Laboratory Safe, Cost-effective and Micro-scale Alternatives

Abstract

Functional group analysis is an integral part of the university curriculum since it forms the basis of identification of unknown organic compounds. Traditional methods of analyzing functional groups employ an excess of reagents and generate enormous waste material, disposal of which is of prime concern. The present article focuses on alternative methods for the detection of some of the functional groups such as carboxylic acid, alcohol, phenol, carbonyl, ester, and carbohydrates with considerably less volume (few drops) of conventional reagents on a grooved tile. The procedures adopted are in accordance with the principles of green chemistry - consumption of less solvents and minimizing the waste. Hence, the mentioned experiments afford an efficient, safe and economical approach to functional group investigation. In addition, a comparison of this micro-scale green approach with conventional methods is presented. The success of the tests is valid for general organic compounds, and hence can be satisfactorily employed in undergraduate laboratories for analysis of functional groups.