This document provides instructions for classifying an unknown alcohol through a series of classification tests. It describes performing the Lucas test, TCICA test, and forming derivatives of the unknown compound to aid in identification. The Lucas test distinguishes between primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols based on reaction rates. The TCICA test also distinguishes alcohol types by the time taken for a precipitate to form. Derivatives can be made and have melting points compared to literature values to identify the unknown alcohol. Proper experimental procedure and waste disposal are emphasized.

1. Identifying
an Unknown Alcohol

2. Background
Classification Tests are qualitative tests which can indicate the presence
of a particular functional group, such as an aldehyde or an alcohol.
Two inviolable rules when performing classification tests:
1. Perform the test exactly as described.
2. Always perform tests on known compounds, one that will result
in a positive test (known positive) and one that will result in a negative test
(known negative) and then perform the tests on the unknown compound.

3. Experimental Procedures
Do this experiment before finishing the Grignard purification. For all
procedures in this lab, follow the lab manual exactly as written, but change
the order. (Do Part 1 after Parts 2 & 3)
New experimental order: 1. Lucas Test
2. TCICA Test: use gloves
3. Derivative formation
Omit the refractive index and micro-boiling point sections.
Do not cross contaminate the contents of your test tubes.
There are three Waste Bottles: 1. Recovered Lucas Solutions
2. Recovered TCICA Solutions
3. Recovered Alcohols
Your lab report must state which type of alcohol is your unknown.

4. Experimental Procedure
Lucas Test
The Lucas reagent is a solution of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) in concentrated HCl.
A positive test occurs when the alkyl halide formed in the reaction begins to separate
from the aqueous solution to form a second layer.
This test readily distinguishes between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohol based
on whether a reaction occurs and on the reaction time.
(i) 3° alcohol and alcohols that form resonance-stabilized carbocations react to
form a cloudy mixture in less than 30 sec at room temperature.
R R R
R
ZnCl -
ZnCl2 Cl
R C OH R C O+ R C+ R C Cl
HCl/H2O
H R R
R R
3° alcohol: not soluble
water soluble Forms Carbocation
(SN1 reaction)

5. Experimental – Lucas Test
(ii) 2° alcohol can react in 3-10 min, but may need to be warmed.
R R R
R
ZnCl
ZnCl2 Cl-
R C OH R C O+ R C+ R C Cl
HCl/H2O
H H H
H H
2° alcohol not soluble
water soluble
(iii) 1° alcohol requires more than an hour to react, if it reacts at all.
H
ZnCl2 NO REACTION in several hours
R C OH
HCl/H2O
H
1° alcohol The rate of reaction is related to carbocation stability.
water soluble
3° > 2° > 1° alcohol

6. Experimental Procedure
Lucas Test
Prepare 4 test tubes with 2 mL Lucas reagent, 4 drops alcohol, & mix.
Record time until cloudy (how long does it take to form cloudy solution?).
TCICA Test
TCICA (1,3,5-trichloroisocyanuric acid) is a common source of chlorine
used to disinfect swimming pools or as an additive in some kitchen cleansers.
O
O
O H H
OH Cl Cl
N N
N N 1 drop HCl(aq) + 3 HCl
3 +
3 +
C H 3C N
O N O
H O N O
H
Cl
alcohol TCICA isocyanuric acid precipitate

7. Experimental - TCICA Test
The time it takes for isocyanuric acid precipitate to appear is characteristic
of the type of alcohol. O
OH O H H
N N
TCICA
3 R C R 3 R C R + + 3 HCl 15 – 30 sec
HCl / CH3CN
O N O
H ketone
H
2° alcohol
O
not soluble
OH O H H
TCICA N N
3 R C H 3 R C H + + 3 HCl 3 – 7 min
HCl / CH3CN
H O N O
aldehyde
1° alcohol H
OH NO OXIDATION within 1 hr
TCICA
R C R The rate of isocyanuric acid precipitate
HCl / CH3CN appearance(cloudy solution):
3° alcohol
R
2° > 1° > 3° alcohol

8. Experimental Procedure
TCICA Test
Prepare 4 test tubes with 0.5 mL TCICA and 1 drop of 1M HCl, mix together.
Add 1 drop of alcohol, each to its own test tube, and mix together.
Record time until precipitate forms.
Derivative formation (only with unknown)
Unknown compounds can be reacted with various reagents to give
new compounds called derivatives.
Stable, crystalline derivatives can be used to identify unknowns by
comparing the derivative melting point with literature values.
Several derivatives can be made to confirm an unknown alcohol.

9. Derivative Formation
If 1° or 2° alcohol is suspected, follow A.
If 3° alcohol (which is slow to react) is suspected, follow B (use catalyst).
O O
A: NO2 1) heat 10 - 15 min in water bath NO2
R OH + Cl (almost boiling) RO
8 drops 2) cool to RT. if NO precipitate,
cool in ice bath
3) neutralized with Na2CO3
NO2 4) filter NO2
5) recrystallize using EtOH
0.23 g Take melting point after recrystallize
3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride from EtOH (do not exceed 5 mL )
O
O-
Cl-
+ NO2
+ NO2
R O
R O
Cl
H
H
NO2
NO2

10. O
Derivative Formation O
B: N
NO2
1) 1 mL of acetone
+ NO 2
+ Cl 2) 8 drops ROH
N
3) heat 10-15 min
4) cool N
N
NO2 5) neutralized with Na2CO 3 NO2
0.12 g 0.23 g
4-dimethylaminopyridine 6) filter ROH
(DMAP) 7) recrystallize using EtOH (tertiary alcohol)
O-
+ NO 2 O-
N
+ NO2
Cl N
+
N O
H R
N
NO2
O
NO 2
NO2
RO N N O
+ H
N N
NO2
R O
+
better leaving group
NO2
Ester: take mp after recrystallization
NO2

11. Last - Finish Grignard Reaction
Triturate residue in distilling flask with cold petroleum ether (not
diethyl ether).
"…to reduce to fine particles or powder by rubbing, grinding,
bruising, or the like."
Decant petroleum ether (SAVE small sample of ether for TLC).
Recrystallize from isopropyl alcohol to obtain the pure product.
Characterization of Your Product:
Perform TLC on the crude product, petroleum ether extract, and pure
product by using ether to dissolve all solids and using petroleum ether
as eluent.
Measure mass, mp and calculate %yield.
Next week – Comprehensive Final !!! Have Fun!