Lucas test is done for

Options

A. alkyl halides
B. alcohols
C. acids
D. aldehydes

Answer

B

Explanation

This test is based on the difference in reactivity of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols towards hydrochloric acid. It involves the treatment of the alcohol with the Lucas reagent, which is a solution of anhydrous Zinc chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid. the alcohol reacts with the reagent to give the corresponding alkyl chloride. since lower alcohols (up to six carbon atoms) are soluble in water and the corresponding chlorides are insoluble in water, the formation of an alkyl chloride is detected by the appearance of a separate layer or cloudiness.
Tertiary alcohols reacts immediately, secondary alcohols take `4` to `5` minutes time to give cloudness. Primary alcohols do not react at all at room temperature and hence no cloudness is observed in their case.