Question

Which of the following pair of compounds can be distinguished by iodoform test? 

Butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol

Answer 1

	Butan-1-ol	Butan-2-ol
1.	Butan-1-ol is a primary alcohol.	Butan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol.
2.	On oxidation, it forms butanoic acid, which does not have a CH3–CO– group.	On oxidation, it forms butan-2-one, which has a CH3–CO– group.
3.	It does not contain the CH3–CH(OH)– group required for the iodoform test.	It contains the CH3–CH(OH)– group, essential for the iodoform test.
4.	It gives a negative iodoform test.	It gives a positive iodoform test.
5.	No yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI3) is formed.	A yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI3) is formed.
6.	This substance cannot be detected by the iodoform test.	This substance can be detected by the iodoform test.