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  4. How many of the following reagents can be used to distinguish between alcohols and phenols?

Q. How many of the following reagents can be used to distinguish between alcohols and phenols?Chemistry Question Image

 238  159 Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Report Error

Answer: 3

Solution:

Alcohols and phenols can be distinguished by the following tests,
I. Reaction with ferric chloride: Phenols react with neutral ferric chloride solution to give blue, violet or green colouration whereas alcohols do not react.
II. Bromine water test: Phenols react with bromine water to give a white precipitate of -tribromophenol while alcohols do not.
III. Coupling reaction: Phenols react with diazonium salts in basic solution to form yellow or orange coloured dyes but alcohols do not react.