A type of organic molecule with at least one hydroxyl functional group attached to a saturated carbon atom is called an alcohol.
Primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols are the three types of alcohol.
Examples: Ethanol and Butanol .
Lucas test
The Lucas test is used to distinguish between the many types of alcohol.
The Lucas reagent is used to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.
The Lucas test uses a solution of anhydrous zinc chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid to distinguish and classify primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.
The Lucas reagent is a common name for this mixture.
Lucas test for tertiary alcohol
Tertiary alcohol reacts right away to create an oily layer and an insoluble compound called alkyl halide.
Examples: .
Lucas test for secondary alcohol
The reaction time of secondary alcohol is five minutes.
The solution becomes turbid in three to five minutes and produces an oily layer.
Example: .
Lucas test for primary alcohol
Primary alcohols don't seem to react at all.
Unless it is heated, the solution doesn't change color.
When heated, the solution generates an oily layer.
Example: .
Mechanism of Lucas test
SN1 nucleophilic substitution, a two-step reaction, is the reaction that takes place in this test.