bhanuveer danduboyina
Last Activity: 14 Years ago
The iodoform test or iodoform reaction is a qualitative chemical test for the detection of ketones and aldehydes carrying an alpha methyl group. The reagents are iodine and sodium hydroxide.
Only methyl ketones, or alcohols with the feature:
CH3CH(OH)-R
may undergo this reaction.
There are three steps to the iodoform reaction when starting from an alcohol. If the reaction starts from a methyl ketone, the first step is not needed.
Addition of I2(aq) (usually I2 dissolved in KI, shown here reacting with 2-propanol)
2 NaOH + I2 + CH3CH(OH)CH3 → 2 NaI + CH3COCH3 + 2 H2O
oxidizes the hydroxyl group to a ketone,
The ketone formed reacts with the I2(aq) in a substitution reaction to produce a triiodoketone, for example triiodoacetone.
CH3COCH3 + 3I2 → CH3COCI3 + 3HI
(Thus, ketone and aldehyde with structure -COCH3 also show positive results). Ethanal is the only aldehyde to give the iodoform reaction.
Finally, OH- (aqueous) is added, which reacts with, for example, the triiodoacetone.
CH3COCI3 + OH- → CHI3 + CH3COO-
Iodoform, or triiodomethane (I3CH) is a pale yellow substance. It is therefore a solid at room temperature. It is insoluble in water and has an antiseptic smell.
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