Question

Using tests performed in this experiment, tell how you would distinguish between the members of each of the following pairs of compounds. Give equations when appropriate.

1-Propanol and 2-Propanol

1-Butanol and 2-methyl-2-propanol

Answer 1

For both pairs you can use the Luca's reagent to differetiate between alcohols. 1-propanol is a primary alcohol, 2-propanol is secondary. Luca's reagent reacts with tertiary (fast) and secondary (5 minutes) to give the alkyl chloride, it doesn't react with primary alcohols.

for secandry alcohols

for tertiary alcohols

1-propanol (primary), 2-propanol (secondary). 1-butanol (primary), 2-methyl-2-propanol (tertiary)

For the first pair, only 2-propanol will react giving a cloudiness in 5 minutes.

For the second pair only 2-methyl-2-propanol will react giving an inmediate cloudiness.

Adiotionally, Jone's oxidation can oxidation can differentiate betwen primary/secondary and tertiary alcohols, it reacts with primary and secondary but not with tertiary, this can differetiante the alcohols in the second pair.

For the second pair only the 1-butanol will react. It will give a blue or green opaque layer.