Simple Apparatus for Carbon and Hydrogen Detection LEROY D. JOHNSON Storer College, Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
THE METHOD usually described in organic chemistry laboratory manuals for detecting carbon and hydrogen in organic compounds consists of heating a sample of the compound with wire or powdered copper oxide in a hard glass tube. The presence of carbon is confirmed by passing the carbon dioxide formed through an outlet tube into a test tube which contains barium or calcium hydroxide, whereupon the latter becomes cloudy. The author wishes to recommend for macro or micro detection the use of a small distillation flask in place of the test tube and outlet connections. The quantity of material available for examination determines the size
of the flask employed (10 to 50 ml.). The sample is placed in the bulb ob the distillation flask and is mixed with wire or powdered copper oxide in the usual manner. A solid cork stopper is placed firmly in the mouth of the distillation flask, which is clamped so that the side axm of the flask just passes beneath the surface of barium or calcium hydroxide placed in a 4-ml. test tube. The bulb of the distillation flask is heated cautiously, and the evidence of water is plainly seen on the cooler surface of the flask. The carbon dioxide causes the usual cloudiness in the test tube containing the hydroxide solution.
