3.3.6.1 tests for functional groups

• alcohols 


  acidified potassium dichromate - turns orange to green if present

  tertiary alcohols are not oxidised and the potassium dichromate remains orange
• aldehydes

  • Tollens' reagent - added to the solution and warmed gently
  • if present, a silver mirror will form in the test tube
  • if not, the solution will remain colourless
• aldehydes

  • Fehling's solution - added and heated
  • brick red precipitate will form if present
  • if not, remains blue
• alkenes


  bromine water - orange-brown solution -> colourless
• carboxylic acid 


  sodium carbonate - produces CO2 - collected and turns limewater cloudy