Question

How will you distinguish $1^{\circ }and{2}^{\circ }$ hydroxyl groups present in glucose? Explain with reactions.

Answer 1

$1^{\circ }and{2}^{\circ }$ hydroxyl groups present in glucose can be identified by the reaction of glucose with nitric acid. Primary OH group present in glucose easily oxidise to -COOH group while secondary OH group does not.

Hence, one OH is primary OH group.