MasteryExams
General Science • ChemistryHard

Which chemical test is used specifically to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols based on the turbidity formation time with anhydrous zinc chloride and concentrated hydrochloric acid?

A. Fehling test
B. Lucas test✓ Correct Answer
C. Tollens test
D. Iodoform test

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Lucas test employs a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride to categorize alcohols by their reaction rates, where tertiary alcohols react instantly to form cloudy precipitates, secondary alcohols react within minutes, and primary alcohols show no reaction at room temperature. Fehling test differentiates aldehydes from ketones using alkaline copper tartrate solutions. Tollens test identifies aldehydes by precipitating elemental silver mirrors. Iodoform test detects methyl ketones and secondary alcohols possessing a methyl group adjacent to the carbinol carbon.

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