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NEET CHEMISTRYEasy

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).

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