Question
Give simple chemical tests to distinguish between the following pairs of compounds:
(i) Ethanal and Propanal
(ii) Benzoic acid and Phenol
Solution
(i) Distinguish test between ethanal and propanal:
Iodoform Test: Ethanal gives iodoform test.
CH3CHO + 4NaOH + 3I2 ---> CHI3 (Yellow ppt.) + HCOONa + 3NaI + 3H2O
Propanal does not give this test.
CH3CH2CHO + 4NaOH + 3I2 ---> No Reaction.
(ii) Distinguish test between Benzoic acid and Phenol:
NaHCO3Test: When Benzoic acid reacts with NaHCO3, the brisk effervescence of CO2 gas evolved.
Phenol does not give this test.
C6H5OH + NaHCO3 --> No Reaction
