Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers — Important Questions
ICSE · Class 12 · Chemistry
104 important questions from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers for ICSE Class 12 Chemistry, with answers. Includes multiple choice questions.
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Important Questions from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
The reagent used in the Lucas test to distinguish 1°, 2°, 3° alcohols is:
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Anhydrous ZnCl2 + conc. HCl
Lucas test uses anhydrous ZnCl2 + conc. HCl (Lucas reagent). Turbidity (cloudiness) appears when alkyl chloride is formed. Rate: 3° (immediate) > 2° (a few minutes) > 1° (no turbidity at RT). ZnCl2 is a Lewis acid that activates the OH as a leaving group.
Which alcohol is formed when a Grignard reagent reacts with formaldehyde (HCHO)?
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Primary alcohol (one C more)
RMgX + HCHO → R-CH2-OMgX → H3O+ → R-CH2-OH (1° alcohol with one more C than R). Pattern: Grignard + HCHO → 1° alcohol; + RCHO → 2°; + R2CO → 3° alcohol.
What is the product of the reaction of phenol with FeCl3 solution?
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Violet/purple coloration
Phenol gives characteristic violet/purple colour with FeCl3 solution (ferric phenoxide complex). This is the diagnostic test for phenolic compounds. Alcohols do NOT give this colour — distinguishes phenols from alcohols.
Why is phenol more acidic than ethanol?
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The phenoxide ion is stabilised by resonance with the benzene ring, making phenol more willing to donate H+
Phenoxide (C6H5O⁻) has its negative charge delocalised into the benzene ring via resonance → 6 resonance structures → more stable → easier formation → phenol more acidic. Ethoxide (C2H5O⁻) has no resonance stabilisation. pKa: phenol ≈ 10; ethanol ≈ 16.
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