Question

Molisch reagent is used to identify following compound?

• A. Glucose
• B. Raffinose
• C. D-oxribose
• D. All of these

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

All of these

Carbohydrates undergo dehydration in the presence of sulphuric acid, giving aldehyde as a product which undergoes condensation in the presence of Molisch reagent ($\alpha -napthanol$ dissolved in ethanol) to give a purple colored compound. This forms the basis of Molisch test to detect carbohydrates. Since glucose, raffinose, and deoxyribose are all carbohydrates, they can be identified using Molisch reagent