Test for Alcoholic (R-OH) Group

Table of Contents

AimTheoryMaterials RequiredApparatus SetupProcedureObservationsResults and DiscussionsPrecautionsFrequently Asked Questions

Functional groups play a vital role in organic chemistry. The organic compound which has -OH functional group are called alcohols. Alcohols are compounds containing an -OH group bonded to a tetrahedral carbon atom. The general formula for alcohol is R-OH. Where R is an alkyl group

Aim:

To identify the presence of alcoholic functional group in a given organic compound.

Theory:

Any of the following test can be carried out to detect the alcoholic functional group.

1. Sodium metal test
2. Ester test
3. Ceric ammonium nitrate test
4. Acetyl chloride test
5. Iodoform test

(a) Sodium Metal Test:

It is based on the appearance of brisk effervescence due to the liberation of hydrogen gas when alcohol reacts with active metals like sodium.

The chemical reaction is given below.

2R-OH + 2Na → 2R-O-Na + H₂↑

2CH₃-OH + 2Na → 2CH₃-O-Na + H₂↑

The alcohol to be tested should be dry because water also reacts with sodium. Sodium should be handled carefully, unreacted sodium should be destroyed by adding excess alcohol. This test is favourable if phenyl or carboxyl groups are absent.

Note: Evolution of hydrogen gas cause a brisk effervescence indicates an alcoholic group.

(b) Ester Test:

Carboxylic acids reacts with alcohols forming a fruit smelling ester. The reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid is called esterification. This reaction is a slow reaction catalysed by concentrated sulphuric acid.

The chemical reaction is given below.

R-OH + R-COOH → R-COOR + H₂O

CH₃OH + CH₃-COOH → CH₃-COOCH₃ + H₂O

Note: A sweet smell indicates the presence of alcoholic group.

(c) Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test:

Alcohol or reaction with ceric ammonium nitrate forms a pink or red colour precipitate due to the formation of a complex compound and ammonium nitrate.

The chemical reaction is given below.

(NH₄)₂ [Ce(NO₃)₆] + 3ROH → [Ce(NO₃)₄(ROH)₃] + 2NH₄NO₃

(NH₄)₂ [Ce(NO₃)₆] + 3CH₃OH → [Ce(NO₃)₄(CH₃OH)₃] + 2NH₄NO₃

Note: The appearance of wine red colour precipitate shows the presence of alcoholic group.

(d) Acetyl Chloride Test:

Alcohol reacts with acetyl chloride results in the formation of ester and hydrogen chloride. The resulting hydrogen chloride on contact with ammonium hydroxide forms a white fumes of ammonium chloride and water.

The chemical equation is given below.

R-OH + CH₃-CO-Cl → CH₃-COOR + HCl

HCl + NH₄OH → NH₄Cl + H₂O

Note: The formation of white fumes indicates the presence of alcohol.

(e) Iodoform test:

This test is given by secondary alcohols, ketones and acetaldehyde. First the compound is heated with sodium hydroxide solution and iodine. A formation of yellow precipitate of iodoform shows the presence of alcohol.

The chemical reactions are given below.

CH₃-CH(OH)-CH₃ + I₂ + 2NaOH → CH₃-CO-CH₃ + 2NaI + 2H₂O

CH₃-CO-CH₃ + 3I₂ + 4NaOH → CHI₃(Iodoform) + CH₃COONa + 3NaI + 3H₂O

Note: The formation of yellow precipitate shows the presence of alcohol, acetaldehyde or methyl ketones.

Distinction Between Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Alcohols:

Lucas Test:

The mixture of zinc chloride and concentrated hydrochloric acid is called Lucas reagent. It reacts with primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols at different rates. This reagent forms a cloudiness on reacting with alcohols. Tertiary alcohols reacts immediately and give cloudiness, secondary alcohols reacts slowly and gives cloudiness after 5 to 10 minutes and there is no reaction with primary alcohols.

The chemical reactions are given below.

Note:

Cloudiness appears immediately → Tertiary alcohols

Cloudiness appears within five to ten minutes → Secondary alcohols

Cloudiness appears only on heating → Primary alcohols

Materials Required:

1. Sodium metal
2. Acetic acid
3. Ceric ammonium nitrate
4. Acetyl chloride
5. Ammonium hydroxide
6. Iodine
7. Sodium hydroxide
8. Calcium sulfate
9. Lucas reagent (zinc chloride and Con.HCl)
10. Test tubes
11. Test tube holder
12. Filler

Apparatus Setup:

Procedure:

Preparation of Reagents:

1. Ceric Ammonium Nitrate: Take 20gm of orange crystals of ceric ammonium nitrate in 200ml of warm dilute nitric acid.
2. Lucas Reagent: Take 135gm of anhydrous zinc chloride and dissolved in 100ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid.
3. Iodine Solution: Dissolve 5gm of potassium iodide in 40ml of water. To that solution add 1gm of solid iodine and dissolve it completely.

(a) Sodium Metal Test:

1. Take the organic compound to be tested in a dry test tube.
2. Add 1gm of anhydrous calcium sulfate and shake well to remove excess water.
3. Decant the solution to another clean test tube.
4. Add a small piece of sodium metal.
5. If brisk effervescence appears due to the evolution of hydrogen gas indicate the presence of alcoholic group.

(b) Ester Test:

1. Take 1ml of the organic liquid to be tested in a clean dry test tube.
2. Add 1ml of glacial acetic acid and 2-3 drops of conc. sulfuric acid.
3. Heat the mixture in a water bath for 10 minutes.
4. The hot mixture is poured into a beaker containing cold water.
5. Smell the water in the beaker.
6. A fruity smell confirms the presence of alcoholic group.

(c) Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test:

1. Take 1ml of given compound in a dry test tube.
2. Add a few drops of ceric ammonium nitrate reagent and shake the solution well.
3. Observe the solution.
4. If red precipitate appears then the presence of alcoholic group is conformed.

(d) Acetyl Chloride Test:

1. Take 2ml of given organic compound in a clean test tube
2. Add 1gm of anhydrous calcium sulfate and shake well.
3. Filter the solution. To the filtrate add 3 to 4 drops of acetyl chloride and shake well.
4. Take a glass rod dipped in ammonium hydroxide solution.
5. Bring the glass rod near the mouth of the test tube.
6. If white fumes occurs then the presence of alcoholic group is conformed.

(e) Iodoform Test:

1. Take 1ml of given organic compound in a clean dry test tube.
2. Add 1ml of 1% iodine solution to it.
3. Add dilute sodium hydroxide solution drop wise until the brown colour of iodine is discharged.
4. Heat the mixture gently in water bath.
5. The formation of yellow precipitate indicates the presence of either ethanol or acetaldehyde or methyl ketone.

Observations:

Results and Discussions:

The given organic compound is ___________. (primary alcohol, secondary alcohol or tertiary alcohol)

Precautions:

1. Sodium metal should be handled carefully, Since it reacts with water violently.
2. Iodine should not be inhaled as it can cause irritation to nose.

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