Baldonado,Lesley Joy T.

BS Physics 2
TEST FOR PHENOLS

1. Litmus Test
Positive result: blue litmus paper turns red
Indication: changing of the color of litmus paper
Chemical Equation: NONE

2. Ferric chloride test

Positive result: gives a violet colour due to the formation of a complex
Indication:
 When reacted with neutral ferric chloride, the liquid's color becomes violet.
Chemical Equation: 6C6H5OH + FeCl3 → [Fe(C6H5O)6]3– + 3HCl + 3H+

3. Libermann’s test
Positive result: presence of deep blue or green color
Indication:
When phenol reacts with sodium nitrite in the presence of concentrated
sulfuric acid forms a deep blue or green-colored product. When water was added,
the blue or green color changed to red or brown color due to the formation of
indophenol. Meanwhile, when sodium hydroxide is added to the treatment the color
will return to deep blue or green by the addition of strong alkali, due to the
formation of indophenol anion.

Chemical Equation:
4. Phthalein dye test
Positive result:
formation of pink color
Indication:
Phenol on heating with phthalic anhydride in the presence of concentrated
sulfuric acid forms a colourless condensation compound called phenolphthalein.
On further reaction with dilute sodium hydroxide solution gives a pink colour.
Chemical Equation:
5. Bromine Water Test
Positive result: formation of white precipitate of tribromophenol
Indication:
When bromine water is added to aqueous solution of phenol the brown
colour of bromine disappears and a white precipitate of tribromophenol is formed.
Chemical Equation: