Ethanol and ethanal are distinguished by

Options

A. Fehling's solution test
B. Tollen's reaget test
C. Iodoform test
D. Cerric ammonium nitrate

Explanation

To distinguish between ethanol (C2H5OH) and ethanal (C2H4O), we can use several chemical tests. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Felling's Solution Test
- **Procedure**: Add a few drops of Felling's solution to separate test tubes containing ethanol and ethanal, and then heat the mixtures.
- **Observation**: Ethanol does not react and remains unchanged, while ethanal reduces the copper(II) ions in Felling's solution to form a brick-red precipitate of copper(I) oxide (Cu2O).
- **Conclusion**: Ethanol gives no reaction, while ethanal gives a brick-red precipitate. This is a distinguishing factor.

### Step 2: Tollen's Reagent Test
- **Procedure**: Add Tollen's reagent (ammoniacal silver nitrate) to separate test tubes containing ethanol and ethanal, and then gently heat.
- **Observation**: Ethanol does not react, while ethanal reduces the silver ions to metallic silver, forming a silver mirror on the test tube.
- **Conclusion**: Ethanol gives no reaction, while ethanal gives a silver mirror. This is another distinguishing factor.

### Step 3: Iodoform Test
- **Observation**: Both ethanol and ethanal can give a positive iodoform test, as they both can be oxidized to form acetyl compounds.
- **Conclusion**: This test cannot be used to distinguish between ethanol and ethanal.

### Step 4: Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test
- **Procedure**: Add ceric ammonium nitrate solution to separate test tubes containing ethanol and ethanal.
- **Observation**: Ethanol does not react, while ethanal gives a wine-red coloration due to the formation of a complex.
- **Conclusion**: Ethanol gives no reaction, while ethanal gives a wine-red coloration. This is a distinguishing factor.

### Final Conclusion:
- The tests that can be used to distinguish between ethanol and ethanal are:
- Felling's solution test (ethanal gives a brick-red precipitate)
- Tollen's reagent test (ethanal gives a silver mirror)
- Ceric ammonium nitrate test (ethanal gives a wine-red coloration)