Iodoform test is used to check the presence of carbonyl compounds with the structure R-CO-CH3 or alcohols with the structure R-CH(OH)-CH3 in a given unknown substance.
The reaction of iodine, a base and a methyl ketone gives a yellow precipitate along with an “antiseptic” smell. It also tests positive for a few specific secondary alcohols that contain at least one methyl group in the alpha position.
Iodoform Test Description
When Iodine and sodium hydroxide are added to a compound that contains either a methyl ketone or a secondary alcohol with a methyl group in the alpha position, a pale yellow precipitate of iodoform or triiodomethane is formed. It can be used to identify aldehydes or ketones. If an aldehyde gives a positive iodoform test, then it must be acetaldehyde since it is the only aldehyde with a CH3C=O group. Given below are a few example reactions for positive iodoform tests.
Iodoform Test Description
Compounds That Give Positive Iodoform Test
- Acetaldehyde
- Methyl Ketones
- Ethanol
- Secondary Alcohols that contain Methyl Groups in Alpha Position
Iodoform Test Mechanism
First, the Hydroxide ion removes an acidic alpha hydrogen. This results in the formation of an enolate ion. The enolate anion then goes on to displace an iodide ion from the iodine molecule. This process repeats twice to give R-CO-CI3. Now, a hydroxide ion forms a bond with the carbonyl carbon. This leads to the reformation of the carbonyl group and the elimination of the CI3– anion. An R-COOH group is also formed. The carboxylic acid group and the basic CI3– ion neutralize each other. Thus the iodoform is precipitated. The mechanism for this reaction is illustrated below:
Iodoform Test Mechanism
Thus, the pale yellow precipitate of iodoform is formed, which can be identified by its characteristic “antiseptic” smell. The presence of the methyl ketone is confirmed. The iodoform test is a very useful method to identify the presence of these methyl ketones or acetaldehyde in an unknown compound.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Which type of alcohol gives iodoform test?
The only primary alcohol that provides the triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction is ethanol. If ‘R’ is a category of hydrocarbons, you have a secondary alcohol. This answer is provided by tonnes of secondary alcohols, but those that do all have a methyl group with the -OH group attached to the carbon.
What does iodoform test indicate?
The iodoform test reveals the presence of an aldehyde or ketone in which a methyl group is one of the groups immediately connected to the carbonyl carbon. Such a ketone is referred to as methyl ketone. The unknown is allowed to react with a mixture of excess iodine and excess hydroxide in the iodoform assay.
What is iodoform test used for?
The methyl ketone reaction of iodine and base is so reliable that the iodoform test (the appearance of a yellow precipitate) is used to test for methyl ketone presence. This is also the case while searching for alpha-position sensitive secondary alcohols containing at least one methyl group.
How do you do iodoform test?
For 3 ml of water and 10 drops of KI / I2 solution (a dark purple-brown solution), three drops of the compound to be evaluated are applied. Until the dark colour of the solution disappears to pink, 10 percent NaOH solution is applied dropwise.
Which alcohol gives Haloform test?
Methyl ketones and secondary alcohols oxidizable to methyl ketones, such as isopropanol, are commonly limited by substrates. Ethanol and acetaldehyde, respectively, are the only main alcohol and aldehyde to undergo this reaction. The haloform reaction is also given by 1,3-Diketones like acetylacetone.
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