Q. In Lucas test an alcohol reacts immediately and gives insoluble chloride. The alcohol is

A) $CH_{3}OH$
B) $CH_{3}CH_{2}OH$
C) $\left( CH_{3} \right)_{2}CHOH$
D) $\left( CH_{3} \right)_{3}COH$
Explanation

(d)
A mixture of conc. HCl+ anhy Zn$Cl_{2}$ is called Lucas reagent. In Lucas test tertiary alcohols immediately give turbidity while secondary alcohols give turbidity after 5 min. Primary alcohols give no reaction with Lucas reagent at room temperature.
$CH_{3}OH/CH_{3}CH_{2}OH\overset{\ \ Conc.HCI + anhy\ ZnCI_{2}\ \ \ }{\rightarrow}$No reaction
Primary alcohol
and hence, no white cloudiness on turbidity at room temperature.
$\left( CH_{3} \right)_{2}CHOH\overset{\ \ \ Conc.HCI + anhy\ ZnCI_{2}\ \ \ \ }{\rightarrow}$
Secondary alcohol
White cloudiness or turbidity appears within about 5 min.
$\left( CH_{3} \right)_{3}COH\overset{\ \ Conc.HCl + anhy\ ZnCl_{2}\ \ \ }{\rightarrow}$ White cloudiness
Tertiary alcohol
Or turbidity appears immediately.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.