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NEET CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and EthersEasy

Question

n-Propyl alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished by which reagent:

A

PCl₅

B

Reduction

C

Oxidation with Potassium dichromate

D

Ozonolysis

Step-by-Step Solution

n-Propyl alcohol (propan-1-ol) is a primary alcohol, while Isopropyl alcohol (propan-2-ol) is a secondary alcohol. They can be distinguished by their oxidation products using a strong oxidising agent like acidified Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7K_2Cr_2O_7).

  1. Primary Alcohols: Oxidise to form aldehydes and then carboxylic acids containing the same number of carbon atoms. n-Propyl alcohol gives propanal and then propanoic acid.
  2. Secondary Alcohols: Oxidise to form ketones with the same number of carbon atoms. Isopropyl alcohol gives propanone (acetone).
  3. Distinction: While both turn the dichromate solution from orange to green (reduction of Cr6+Cr^{6+} to Cr3+Cr^{3+}), the products are different (acid vs ketone). Ketones are resistant to further oxidation, whereas primary alcohols/aldehydes oxidise easily to acids.

(Note: PCl5PCl_5 reacts with both to give alkyl chlorides. Ozonolysis is a test for alkenes. Reduction is not a standard distinguishing test for alcohols).

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYAlcohols, Phenols and Ethersnpropylalcoholisopropylalcoholchemically

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