Question 1: FeCl3 test is used in detection of:
- A. Alcohol
- B. Acetic acid
- C. Phenol (Correct Answer)
- D. Hydrochloric acid
Explanation: ***Phenol***
- The ferric chloride (FeCl3) test is used to detect the presence of **phenolic hydroxyl groups** in a compound.
- Phenols react with iron(III) ions to form distinctive **colored complexes** (often violet, blue, or green), indicating their presence.
*Alcohol*
- Alcohols typically do not react with **ferric chloride** to produce a color change.
- While some alcohols can be oxidized, the FeCl3 test is not a standard diagnostic tool for alcohols.
*Acetic acid*
- **Carboxylic acids** like acetic acid do not react with ferric chloride in a way that produces a characteristic color change for identification.
- Other tests are used to identify carboxylic acids, such as their **acidity** or reaction with bicarbonates.
*Hydrochloric acid*
- Hydrochloric acid is a **strong inorganic acid** and does not contain phenolic groups.
- It does not react with **ferric chloride** to give a color change that would be used for its diagnosis or identification in this context.