Three isomeric compounds $A$, $B$ and $C$ have the formula $C_3H_8O$. To identify them, we made the following experiments: 1) By adding metallic sodium, it is found that $B$ and $C$ only evolve hydrogen. What can we say?
$B$ and $C$ are alcohols, not $A$.
2) By adding a little acidified permanganate solution, we see that $A$ does not react, while $B$ and $C$ discolor the solution. What can we say?
$A$ is not an aldehyde, $B$ and $C$ are not tertiary alcohols.
The two reaction products of 2) are processed by Fehling reagent. $B$ shows no reaction, while $C$ responds by producing red copper(I) oxide. What can we say?
Alcohol $B$ formed a ketone, so it was a secondary alcohol. Alcohol $C$ formed an aldehyde , so it was a primary alcohol.
.Identify $A$, $B$ and $C$ !
$A$ is methylethylether $CH_3OCH_2CH_3$ $B$ is propan-2-ol $CH_3CHOHCH_3$ $C$ is propan-1-ol $CH_3CH_2CH_2OH$
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