Question

a convenient reagent to distinguish ethyl alcohol from npropyl alcohol

Answer 1

Answer:

Allyl alcohol will give white turbidity with Lucas reagent immediately, but n-propyl alcohol does not react at room temperature. Actually in allyl alcohol, ...

Answer 2

Answer:

Ethyl alcohol can be distinguished from n-propyl alcohol by using the iodoform test.

Explanation:

Haloform reaction is used as a diagnostic test for the detection of CH₃CO- group in a given compound. Alcohols containing CH₃CH(OH)- group also respond to haloform reaction and gives a positive iodoform test. This is because such alcohol on oxidation with halogen acquires CH₃CO- group and responds to this test.

The ethyl alcohol(CH₃CH₂OH) contains CH₃CH(OH)- group. Thus, it gives a positive iodoform test. Whereas, n-propyl alcohol does not give a positive iodoform test.

The reaction is as follows.

CH₃CH₂OH + I₂ + NaOH → HCOONa + CHI₃ + 5I₂