Methanol and ethanol can be distinguished by using

Options

A. Fehling's test
B. Lodoform test
C. Tollen's test
D. Carbylamine teat.

Answer

To distinguish between methanol and ethanol, we can use the Iodoform test. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

### Step 1: Understand the Iodoform Test
The Iodoform test is a chemical reaction that helps identify the presence of a specific structural feature in organic compounds, particularly those that contain a methyl ketone group (a carbonyl group adjacent to a methyl group).

### Step 2: Identify the Compounds
- **Methanol (CH₃OH)**: This is a primary alcohol and does not have the necessary structure to form a methyl ketone.
- **Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)**: This is also a primary alcohol, but when oxidized, it can form acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO), which contains the methyl ketone structure.

### Step 3: Perform the Iodoform Test
1. **Reagents Required**: You will need iodine (I₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
2. **Procedure**:
- Mix a small amount of the alcohol (methanol or ethanol) with iodine and sodium hydroxide.
- Observe the reaction.

### Step 4: Analyze the Results
- **Ethanol**: When ethanol is treated with iodine and NaOH, it gets oxidized to acetaldehyde, which contains the methyl ketone group. This will lead to the formation of a yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI₃), indicating a positive result.
- **Methanol**: When methanol is treated with the same reagents, it does not undergo oxidation to form a methyl ketone. Therefore, no yellow precipitate will form, indicating a negative result.

### Conclusion
By using the Iodoform test, we can distinguish between methanol and ethanol. Ethanol gives a positive result (yellow precipitate), while methanol gives a negative result (no precipitate).

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