7.2 Victor Mayor Test: ???????

  Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

This test is based on the fact that the three types (1°, 2°, 3°) of nitroalkane (formed by alcohols) reacts differently with nitrous acid followed by sodium hydroxide. The three types of alcohol are first converted into corresponding nitro compounds.

Nitroalkenes thus obtained is treated with first nitrous acid and then with sodium hydroxide to get different colours at the end.

The primary alcohol gives a red colour, secondary alcohols produce a blue colour while in case of the tertiary alcohols, the solution remains colourless. This test is also referred to as a red-blue test.

Ethers are a class of compounds which contains an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl groups (same or different). When both the alkyl groups are same they are designated as simple or symmetrical ethers and when both are different they are called mixed or unsymmetrical ethers.