Summary of Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Test
Ignition Test
Reagents
Bromine in
CCl4 Test
Baeyer Test
Br2 in CCl4
Lucas Test
HCl in ZnCl2
Chromic acid
Test
(or Jones
Oxidation)
2,4Dinitrophenylhy
drazine Test
Iodoform test
Alcoholic Silver
Nitrate
Hydroxamic
acid test
Ester formation
test
Bromine water
test
FeCl3 test
Importance
Distinguish aliphatic and
aromatic cmpds.
Test for Unsaturation (alkenes,
alkynes)
General Test for Alkenes and
Alkynes
Test for alcohols
Positive Result
Aliphatic- non-sooty smoke
Aromatic- yellow flame, sooty
Decolorization of Bromine color
Chromic acid (Jones
Reagent – CrO3 in
H2SO4)
Test for alcohols and
aldehydes
2,4Dinitrophenylhydrazine
in conc. H2SO4
Iodine in KI + NaOH
Test for aldehydes and ketones
From yellow to blue-green
sol’n/suspension (Cr3+)
Aldehydes develops in 5 - 15
seconds.
Formation of a yellow to orange
precipitate, hydrazone or osazone
dil. KMnO4
AgNO3 in 2%ethanol +
heat
Hydroxylamine HCl in
95%ethanol and 6M
NaOH
Alcohol in sulfuric acid +
heat
Test for Test for mehylsubstituted ketones and
alcohols
General test for alkyl halides.
General test for esters. Also
positive for acyl halides and
acid anhydrides and amides.
General test for carboxylic
acids
Bromine in water
Test for phenolic compounds
FeCl3 sol’n
Test for phenolic compounds
Formation of red-brown solid
(MnO2)
Appearance of a cloudy second
layer or emulsion (alkylhalide)
Notes
*also perform Baeyer Test.
*room temperature
3o alcohols – 1-3 mins
2o alcohols - 5-10 mins
1o alcohols - no reaction
*insoluble cmp’ds in the reagent
are not applicable.
3o alcohols – no reaction
Phenols give a dark colored
solution which is not blue-green
like a positive test.
Some allylic alcohols are oxidized
by the reagent to aldehydes and
give a positive test.
Formation of yellow precipitate
(CHI3, iodoform)
Alky halide-Formation of solid
AgX salt.
Formation of a magenta-color
complex.
Formation of oily layer on top of
the solution, and a sweet, fruity
smell (ester)
Decolorization of bromine &
formation of insoluble white cmpd
Formation of red colored complex
*Some carboxylic acids give a
positive result.
*large MW carboxylic acids form
odorless ester.