Question

Why methanol does not give iodoform test?

Answer 1

To give a positive Haloform test a molecule must have at least two carbon atoms. These must be the first two carbons in a chain and carbon number two must have an oxygen atom attached. Methanol fails to meet this

Answer 2

Any compound containing CH3C=O group or CH3CH(OH) group gives a positive result with the iodoform test.

methanol is not of the form CH3CH(OH)R where R is hydrogen or hydrocarbon group.

note : Ethanol is the only primary alcohol to give the iodoform reaction.