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.

Answered by Anna G. Chemistry tutor

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