$n$-Propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished by which reagent?

$n$-Propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished by which reagent?
  1. $\mathrm{PCl}_5$
  2. Reduction
  3. Oxidation with potassium dichromate
  4. Ozonolysis

Solution

Isopropyl alcohol and n-propyl alcohol can be chemically distinguished by oxidation with potassium dichromate.n-propyl alcohol on oxidation with potassium dichromate gives an aldehyde. Isopropyl alcohol on oxidation with potassium dichromate gives a ketone. During oxidation of potassium dichromate, solution of potassium dichromate turns bluegreen in the reactions. For isopropyl alcohol this colour change is fast and for $n$-propyl alcohol the colour change is slow. Isopropyl alcohol and n-propyl alcohol are examples of position isomers.In isopropyl alcohol, the hydroxyl group is present in the second carbon atom whereas in n-propyl alcohol the hydroxyl group is present in the first carbon atom.

Asked in: NEET 2002

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