Name: RAFAEL, DUNE VIENIS KAREN N.

Year & Section: BS-

Pharmacy 4A
Date Performed: November 27, 2009 Rating:
____________________

Activity No. 6
ANILINE
I. Objectives:
1. To detect the presence of aniline in a sample by performing hypochlorite
test, phenyl-isocyanide test, bromine water test, and chromic acid test,
2. To understand the principles behind each test, and
3. Interpret the results after performing each method of detection.

I. Data:

Method of Detection Observation/s

Hypochlorite Test Actual: The solution changed from dark brown to dark
blue color upon the addition of aqueous phenol
solution containing drops of ammonia.
Ideal (+): A violet-blue or purple-violet color, gradually
changing to a dirty red, will appear if aniline is
present. Addition of ammonia produces a blue color
(Warren, 1921).
Phenyl-Isocyanide Test Actual: A white precipitate settled at the bottom of the
test tube after heating.
Ideal (+): A repulsive odor of phenylisocyanide shows
the presence of aniline (Warren, 1921).
Bromine Water Test Actual: There was formation of two (2) layers in the
solution in which the upper layer is transparent and
the lower layer is brick-red color.
Ideal (+): Bromine water added to a solution
containing aniline produces a flesh-colored precipitate
(Warren, 1921).

Chromic acid Test Actual: The solution solidified and changed its color to
dark blue.
Ideal (+): The solution will take on a pure blue color.
Addition of 1-2 drops of water produces a deep blue
color at once (Warren, 1921).

II. Answers to Questions:

1. What are the health effects of aniline?
The health effects of aniline are (Scorecard, 2009):
 ➢ Causes cancer
➢ Cardiovascular or blood intoxication
➢ Kidney intoxication
➢ Neurotoxicant
➢ Respiratory toxicant
➢ Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant

Aniline is moderately toxic in its action. Doses of 1.5 to 2 grams,

administered in the course of a day, have proved fatal to small dogs. It is not
possible to state definitely the average lethal dose for human beings. Very
serious results are said to have followed a dose of 3 or 4 grams of aniline.
The lethal dose is certainly less than 25 grams, for that quantity of aniline
was sufficient to kill a healthy man. Even inhalation of aniline vapor may
cause severe or fatal intoxications (Warren, 1921).

Aniline produces methaemoglobin and therefore poisons the blood.

The conversion of oxyhemoglobin into methemoglobin by aniline may be
demonstrated by adding an aqueous aniline solution to blood in a test tube.
Aniline changes their form and partially decomposes red blood-corpuscles.
Thereby the quantity of available oxygen in the blood is so diminished that it
amounts to only 5 to 10 volumes instead of 15 to 20, the normal quantity.
The number of red blood corpuscles is diminished in aniline poisoning but not
that of the white blood cells (Warren, 1921).

1. Where in the environment does aniline end up?

Aniline can evaporate when exposed to air. It dissolves when mixed
with water. Most releases of aniline to the United States environment are to
underground injection sites and to air. In air, aniline breaks down to other
chemicals. Sunlight also breaks downs aniline in surface water and in soil.
Microorganisms that live in water and in soil can also breakdown aniline.
Because it is a liquid that does not bind well to soil, aniline that makes its way
into the ground can move through the ground and enter groundwater. Plants
and animals are not likely to store aniline (United States Environmental
Protection Agency, 1994).

I. Conclusion/s:
Aniline is a colorless, oily inflammable liquid with a peculiar odor and a
burning aromatic taste. Aniline produces methaemoglobin and therefore
poisons the blood. In case of poisoning, aniline can be detected by
hypochlorite test, phenyl-isocyanide test, bromine water test and chromic
acid test. Aniline poisoning can be treated by a solution of the antidote
toluidine blue or methylene bkue given through a vein to seriously exposed
patients.

Aniline can evaporate when exposed to air and dissolves when mixed
with water. Proper chemical disposal of aniline should be strictly practiced
and followed to prevent unintentional or accidental exposure of aniline.

II. Bibliography
Scorecard. (2009, December 08). Aniline. Retrieved December 08, 2009, from Scorecard.org:
http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=62-53-3

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (1994, December). Aniline Fact Sheet. Retrieved December 08,
2009, from epa.org: http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/anali-fs.pdf

Warren, W. H. (1921). Laboratory Manual for the Detection of Poisons and Powerful Drugs. New Jersey: Read Books.