Lucas reagent: Lucas' reagent is a solution

Lucas' reagent is a solution of zinc chloride in hydrochloric acid used to classify alcohols by their reactivity. Learn how the Lucas test works, its history, and its limitations. Lucas test is used to differentiate and categorize primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols using a solution of anhydrous zinc chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid. This solution is commonly referred to as “Lucas Reagent”. 2-Methyl-2-butonol can be differentiated from 3-methyl-2-butanol using Lucas reagent because: View Solution The Lucas test is a chemical test used to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols based on their reactivity towards Lucas reagent. The Lucas reagent is a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) and anhydrous zinc chloride (ZnCl 2). Study Notes The use of thionyl chloride for converting alcohols to alkyl chlorides has the added benefit that both of the by-products, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride, are gases. This characteristic simplifies the isolation and purification of the reaction product. In the laboratory, one can test for the presence of alcohols with Lucas reagent (a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride). Lucas reagent converts alcohols to alkyl chlorides: tertiary alcohols give an ...