Question

What is the Lucas test?

Answer 1

The Lucas test is a chemical test used to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols based on their reactivity with Lucas reagent. The test is named after its developer, Howard Lucas.
The Lucas reagent is a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) and anhydrous zinc chloride (ZnCl2). The reaction occurs by the displacement of a chloride ion from the Lucas reagent by the alcohol. The rate at which the reaction takes place is dependent on the type of alcohol being tested.