Moderate

Which of the following substances does not give iodoform test ?

Correct answer: C. methyl alcohol

  • A. acetaldehyde
  • B. ethyl alcohol
  • C. methyl alcohol
  • D. acetone

Explanation

The iodoform test is positive for compounds containing the CH3CO group, and ethanol is oxidized under the test conditions to ethanal, which also gives the test. Acetaldehyde and acetone therefore produce yellow CHI3, but methanol has neither a methyl carbonyl group nor the ability to form ethanal. Students may choose acetaldehyde because it is an aldehyde, forgetting that acetaldehyde is the one aldehyde that gives the iodoform test.

Last updated

About Reactivity of Aldehydes and Ketones

The polar carbonyl group makes aldehydes and ketones undergo nucleophilic addition, reduction and condensation reactions. Aldehydes are generally more reactive and oxidise readily to carboxylic acids, whereas ketones resist mild oxidation; reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite and 2,4-DNP help identify their behaviour.

Practise Aldehydes and Ketones

679 free Aldehydes and Ketones 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.

Related questions