Classification and

Identification of
Alcohols and
Phenols

Alcohols may be classified as either primary, secondary or tertiary

depending on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the
carbon- bearing hydroxyl group.

Types of Alcohols

Examples of Alcohols

A phenol has a hydroxyl group bonded directly to a carbon that

is part of an aromatic ring.

Phenols

 Alcohols and phenols are polar because of

the hydroxyl group
The polar side and hydrogen bonding
allows them to dissolve in water
The non-polar side allows them to
dissolve in certain organic solvents
Alcohols are not acidic
Phenols are acidic

Properties of Alcohols and

Phenols

A series of tests can be used to distinguish between alcohol

types and phenols:
Solubility
pH
Lucas Test
Chromic Acid Test
Iodoform Test
Iron(III)chloride Test

Chemical Properties

Used to distinguish between a primary, secondary and tertiary

alcohol.

Lucas Test

Used to distinguish primary and secondary alcohols from tertiary

alcohols.

Phenols produce a
brown tarry mass
when combined with
chromic acid.

Chromic Acid Test

This test is used to distinguish alcohols with the partial structure

R-CH3CH(OH) from other alcohols. Phenols also react.

Iodoform Test

Phenols are acidic and dissolve in a basic solution. Alcohols are

not acidic and will not dissolve in a basic solution.

Acidity of Phenol

This test distinguishes between alcohols and phenols.

The resulting color change can vary from green

to purple.
Alcohols produce no color change.

Iron(III) Chloride Test

 Chromic acid is very corrosive.

Phenols are toxic, avoid skin contact.
Your instructor will dispense all of the chromic acid as well as
police the hazardous waste.
DO NOT THROW ANY CHEMICALS DOWN THE DRAIN!!!
EACH HAS AN APPROPRIATE WASTE CONTAINER IN THE
HOOD!!

Caution!

 Inhalation: difficulty breathing, sore throat, coughing, dizziness, dullness,

headache, drowsiness, sneezing, wheezing, central nervous system
depression, narcosis, unconsciousness, choking, inflammation of the upper
respiratory system, pulmonary edema, circulatory failure, coma, increased
sweating, pulmonary edema, reduced body temperature, euphoria, cyanosis,
tissue necrosis, convulsion, chemical pneumonitis and death
Ingestion: sore throat, narcosis, abdominal pain, nausea, headache,
dizziness, diarrhea, kidney damage, liver damage, hearing damage, burns
and inflammation of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach, brown
stains around the mouth, low blood pressure, tachycardia, vomiting ,
muscular weakness, increased sweating and death
Skin contact: sensitization, irritant, redness, pain, drying, cracking, defatting
of the skin ulcers, rash and can be absorbed through the skin
Eye contact: stinging, tearing, redness, pain of the eyes, blurred vision,
corneal damage and blindness
Tumorigens, mutagens, carcinogens and reproductive effectors

Potential Health Effects