The Iodoform test is positive for compounds containing a methyl ketone group (−COCH3) or a methyl carbinol group (−CH(OH)CH3) attached to at least one hydrogen atom or alkyl/aryl group.
- Ethanol (CH3CH2OH): It contains the CH3−CH(OH)− group. Upon reaction with iodine and alkali (I2/NaOH), it is oxidized to acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), which contains the CH3−C=O group, and subsequently yields iodoform (CHI3, yellow precipitate).
- Acetone (CH3COCH3): It contains the CH3−C=O group directly. It reacts to form iodoform.
- Methanol (CH3OH): It does not contain the requisite methyl group attached to the carbinol carbon. It gives a negative test.
Since both Ethanol (a) and Acetone (b) give the test, the correct selection is '(a) and (b)'.