Question

Give a chemical test to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary alcohol

Answer 1

primary secondary and tertiary can be distinguish by lucas reagent test..

primary alc + ZnCl2 + HCl  will give no turbidity

sec alc + ZnCl2 + HCl will give turbidity aftr 5 min

tert alc + ZnCl2 + HCl will give tubidity immediately

Answer 2

Infact There are many tests.

But the most important one mentioned in NCERT is the LUCAS TEST.

Lucas' reagent is a solution of anhydrous zinc chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Lucas reagent reacts very fast with a 3 degree alcohol and little slower with a 2 degree alcohol and dosent react with a 1 degree alcohol without adding any catalyst.

This test is given in ncert aryl halides . read there if have any further queries.