[Bridiewms]

After reacting HBr and Styrene together we sent the product off so that we could look at the results and see which isomer was produced. (1-bromoethyl)benzene was produced. I think the method used to find this result was an IR test or something?

I need to find 3 method that could have also been used to distinguish the possible products?

I also need to no why we added sodium carbonate to the reaction mixture after the addition was complete? I know its something to do with making the solution alkaline instead of acid but why??

[azmanam]

#1, what other identification methods do you know?

#2, just to kill the reactions so the reactive reagents won't continue to be reactive after the reaction is over.  We call it quenching the reaction.

[Bridiewms]

Thanks, I thought question 2 was something along those lines I just wasnt sure

Umm well we havent actually learnt any on the course but I've put down Raman Spectroscopy and IR testing as they both identify the molecule that would be produced??

[azmanam]

You haven't learned any other structural determination methods?  not even in your lecture class? 

[Bridiewms]

No...I didnt do chemistry A level or anything and the lectures are nothing to do with determining structure method. Its just one of the questions for the report I have to write for the practical. I have tried looking on the internet but I'm not really sure what I should be looking for and whether the methods I find are actually right.

[azmanam]

The method you use will likely depend on whether you have a known standard against which you can compare your unknown product.  If Google doesn't help (try organic spectroscopy or organic chemistry structure elucidation), then I'd suggest talking to your TA or lab prof.  If you haven't learned about it in lecture or lab, then there must be some reason you are expected to know the answer.  Your instructor will know that reason better than I will.