Phenol + FeCl3 Reaction: Distinguish 4-Methylbenzoic Acid

  • Thread starter Thread starter chiral
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Phenol
AI Thread Summary
Phenol reacts with FeCl3 to produce a violet coloration, indicating its presence. 4-methylphenol is also expected to give a similar violet coloration due to its phenolic nature. The discussion clarifies that the FeCl3 test is specific for phenols, allowing for differentiation between phenols and carboxylic acids, such as 4-methylbenzoic acid, which will not produce the same reaction. This test is useful in distinguishing between these compounds in a laboratory setting.
chiral
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
phenol + FeCl3..help!

:confused: :confused: please help me... :frown:
phenol gives a violet coloration when we add FeCl3, but will 4-methylphenol gives a violet coloration?!? :confused:
n is it possible to distinguish 4-methylbenzoic acid from 4-methylphenol by adding FeCl3? :confused:
sorry for my poor english :-p
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
The test is fairly specific for phenols, thus I'm thinking that the methyl phenol will also test positive; not all phenols test positive however. Yes, this test will distinguish between phenols and acids.

-------------
Online help with college and high school chemistry
http://groups.msn.com/GeneralChemistryHomework
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thx a lot... :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
 
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
View full post »

Thread 'Ruthenium-Iridium compound with catalytic effects'

Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
View full post »

Similar threads

Identifying Phenol with FeCl3: Color Change with Acid
Replies
3
Views
7K
Synthesis of Fluorescents AuNCs
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why does my Patton-Reeder indicator immediately turn blue? (Ca2 conc.)
Replies
4
Views
7K
How to differentiate phenol, acetic acid, aniline & nitrobenzene
Replies
2
Views
9K
Reactions, Organic and Medical Substances
Replies
1
Views
3K
Kinetics of bromide-bromate reaction
Replies
10
Views
13K
Determination of Ethanol Content Using Titration
Replies
14
Views
14K
How Do I Solve Double Displacement Reactions for Chemistry Homework?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Chemically regenerating my auto's catalytic converter?
Replies
19
Views
7K
Electronic configurations and periodicty
Replies
2
Views
7K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top