Question:

What chemical test / reagent could differentiate 2-pentanol and 3-pentanol?

by Guest64008  |  earlier

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2-pentanol is CH3CHOHCH2CH2CH3 and 3-pentanol is CH3CH2CHOHCH2CH3. Answers would be very much appreciated. Thank you! :D

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3 ANSWERS


  1. 13 C / 1 H n.m.r. spectroscopy or HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromotography).  They would also have different boiling points as 3-pentanol is more stable (less volatile) than 2-pentanol.


  2. They would give different NMR spectra. I suspect different IR spectra too.

  3. Though the answers above are true, they do not involve a chemical test as your questions asks.

    The only (simple) chemical test that would differentiate between the two alcohols is the Iodoform Test.

    Mix the compound under test with iodine solution, add NaOH (aq) dropwise until the iodine colour just disappears, and then warm the mixture gently.

    The pentan-2-ol will give a yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI3) whereas the pentan-3-ol will not react.

    The iodoform test gives positive results with organic  ketones containing the CH3-CO- group or alcohols containing the CH3-CH(OH)- group.

    Google "Iodoform Test" for more details.

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