ACTIVITY 6

REACTIONS OF ALCOHOLS
MATERIALS
Potassium metal n-butanol isoamyl alcohol HCl
Aluminum metal isopropyl alcohol acetic acid conc H2SO4
methanol tert-butanol benzyl alcohol iodine solution
Ethanol 2-butanol potassium dichromate- NaOH
H2SO4 mixture
Pipette Test Tubes

PROCEDURE
1. In the Iodoform Test, 2 mL of ethyl alcohol was mixed with 1 mL of iodine solution and 10 drops
of NaOH. The formation of a yellow precipitate, known as iodoform, was observed.
2. In the oxidation of alcohols, 2 mL of each of the following alcohols was added in a separate test
tube: methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, t-butanol, 2-butanol, benzyl alcohol, and isoamyl
alcohol, as well as 10 drops of a potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid mixture.
3. In order to make esters, 2 mL of ethyl alcohol was placed in a test tube, along with 1 mL of acetic
acid and concentrated H2SO4. The odor is then noticed.
4. The different test alcohols with halogen acid were tested in Reaction with Halogen Acids by
placing 2 mL of the alcohol and then adding 10 drops of Hydrogen chloride.
5. In Metal Replacement, a small chunk of potassium metal was added to each of the test alcohols.
This should be done with caution and in a fume hood. The procedure was repeated with
aluminium instead of potassium.