devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

Which of the following compound(s), on being warmed with iodine solution and NaOH, gives a positive iodoform test?

CH3COCH3

CH3OH

CH3CH2OH

CH3CH(OH)CH3

Solution:

Haloform reaction is shown by primary alcohol C2H5OH which on partial oxidation gives CH3CHO. Secondary alcohols with a methyl group (CH3CHOHCH3) on oxidation give methyl ketonic groups and show a positive result for the haloform test. Methyl ketonic compounds also show a positive result. Thus, CH3COCH3 and CH3CH(OH)CH3 give a positive result for the iodoform test. CH3CH2OH (ethanol) also gives a positive result because it can be oxidized to acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), which then undergoes the haloform reaction. CH3OH (methanol) does not give a positive iodoform test because it cannot be oxidized to a methyl ketone.