How can I distinguish between a tertiary alcohol (2-methylpropan-2-ol) and water?

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How can I distinguish between a tertiary alcohol (2-methylpropan-2-ol) and water?

Is there a positive test to indentify a tertiary alcohol over water? Note- there is also a primary alcohol present, so it cannot be a general test for alcohols. It's difficult because from my research it seems both tertiary alcohols and water give negative tests for everything. There must be a test though, and I would be very pleased if someone could let me know. Thanks in advance!

2007-04-02 23:56:11 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

1 answers

A tertiary alcohol will form an ester with CH3COCl. Water will just form CH3COOH.

2007-04-03 00:08:16 · answer #1 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋