Question

Does phenol give Lucas test?

Answer 1

1. Phenol being a primary alcohol doesn't give Lucas test.
2. It is not possible to ionise when primary alcohol reacts with Lucas reagent because primary carbocation is too unstable. So they do not obey the mechanism of ${\mathrm{S}}_{{\mathrm{N}}^1}$.
3. The ${\mathrm{S}}_{{\mathrm{N}}^2}$ mechanism responds to primary alcohol, which is slower than ${\mathrm{S}}_{{\mathrm{N}}^1}$ mechanism.
4. Only those alcohols that are soluble in the Lucas reagent and with a lower molecular weight will perform the Lucas test. Alcohols containing more than six carbon atoms should not be measured.