n-Propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished...
Primary alcohol on oxidation give aldehyde which on further oxidation give carboxylic acid whereas secondary alcohols give ketone.
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n-Propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished...
Chemical Distinguishing of n-Propyl Alcohol and Isopropyl Alcohol
Oxidation with Potassium Dichromate
When n-propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are treated with potassium dichromate, they undergo oxidation reactions at different rates due to their different structures. Isopropyl alcohol will oxidize faster than n-propyl alcohol because of the presence of a secondary alcohol group in isopropyl alcohol compared to the primary alcohol group in n-propyl alcohol.
Reaction Mechanism
- Isopropyl alcohol will be oxidized to acetone by potassium dichromate, while n-propyl alcohol will be oxidized to propanal.
- The oxidation of isopropyl alcohol to acetone involves the loss of a hydrogen atom from the secondary alcohol group, forming a ketone.
- The oxidation of n-propyl alcohol to propanal involves the loss of a hydrogen atom from the primary alcohol group, forming an aldehyde.
Observation
- By observing the products formed after oxidation with potassium dichromate, it is possible to distinguish between n-propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol based on the different functional groups present in the final products.
- Isopropyl alcohol will give acetone as the main product, while n-propyl alcohol will give propanal as the main product.
Therefore, oxidation with potassium dichromate can be used as a reagent to chemically distinguish between n-propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol based on their different reaction rates and products formed.