How might you distinguish between a primary and secondary alcohol?

Warm and distill with acidified pottasium dichromate. Then test with tollens reagent. The acidified pottasium dichromate will have oxidised the primary alcohol to an aldehyde, which will form a silver mirror with Tollen's reagent. The secondary alcohol will have been oxidised to a ketone, which does not react with Tollen's reagent.

Answered by Zoe B. Chemistry tutor

32256 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

The reversible reaction 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) <-> 2 SO3 (g) has a delta H value of -197 kJ/mol. Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain what conditions would give the highest equilibrium yield and why industry uses different conditions. (5 marks)


State the crystal structures of SiO2 and CO2 and why one has a higher melting point than the other.


What are Van Der Waals dispersion forces?


How do you answer a long answer question on how buffer systems work?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences