Question

Victor Mayors Test is basically for:

• A. estimation of Oxygen content in alcohol
• B. determining the molecular mass of alcohols
• C. calculation of concentration of hydrogen in alcohols
• D. distinguish between various alcohols

Answer 1

The correct option is D distinguish between various alcohols

Victor Meyer's Test is a test to distinguish whether a given alcohol is primary, secondary or tertiary. For the determination of this a series of reaction are done with the given alcohol. This given alcohol is passed through the following series of reaction. An alcohol which has to be distinguished is treated with Red $P$ and Iodine gives iodoalkane. This upon reaction with $AgN{O}_2$ gives nitroalkane, which on reaction with $HN{O}_2$ gives different compounds for different alcohols like nitrolic acid for primary alcohol, pseudonitriol for secondary alcohol etc. These respective productions on reaction with alkali gives different coloured compounds which helps us to determine the nature of alcohol.