Phenol can be distinguished from alcohol by:
Correct answer: B. Br2(aq)
- A. Tollen's reagent
- B. Br2(aq)
- C. NaHCO3
- D. HCI
Explanation
Both alcohols and phenol do not give Tollen's test, NaHCO3 test and reaction with HCl. However, phenol reacts with Br2, to give white ppt but alcohol does not. Bromine water is often used to test for the presence of alkenes, which can decolorize the brownish-orange color of bromine water due to their unsaturated nature. Phenol, being an aromatic compound, does not readily react with bromine water in the same way alkenes do, so this test may not effectively distinguish between phenol and alcohol.
Last updated
About Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary and studied through their hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation and reactions with active metals, acids and halogenating agents. Phenols require separate treatment because the hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, making their acidity and electrophilic substitution different from ordinary alcohols.
Practise Alcohols and Phenols
535 free Alcohols and Phenols MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this
Chemistry is on 12 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.