1. why does methanol not give a positive result in the Iodoform Test?

Question

1. why does methanol not give a positive result in the Iodoform Test?

Answer 1

Hypoiodide is formed in situ in this reaction, and it will oxidize methanol, but the product would be formaldehyde (H2C=O). Since formaldehyde has neither β carbons nor β hydrogens to form an enolate ion, which the reaction requires, the reaction stops at that point.