When testing for primary, secondary, and teritary alcohols what is the testing reagent and the results of the test?

Testing reagent= Acidified solution of potassium dichromate (VI). The alcohol is added and the mixture is heated.

For a primary alcohol- the mixture changes from orange (Cr2O72-) to green (Cr3+) and the product is an aldehyde.

Secondary alcohol – the mixture changes from orange (Cr2O72-) to green (Cr3+) and the product is a ketone.

Tertiary alcohol – no reaction. The mixture stays orange.

AG
Answered by Anna G. Chemistry tutor

22465 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a rate of reaction? How can we calculate the rate of reaction?


Carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature while silicon dioxide is a solid at room temperature with a melting point of 1770°C. Explain this by comparing their particles and those forces between these particles.


Explain why xenon has a lower first ionization energy than neon.


What is the trend in the first ionisation energy of the peroid 3 elements from sodium to argon.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning