Ethylene glycol is used as antifreeze in automobile engines because it mixes wit

Question

Ethylene glycol is used as antifreeze in automobile engines because it mixes with water in all proportions and does not freeze under usual winter conditions. Why does it mix so well with water (see Table 1 for the structure of ethylene glycol)? A student had an unknown water-soluble alcohol. It gave a blue-green color with chromic acid, a precipitate in the iodoform test, and a precipitate with Lucas reagent, but only after heating for 15 min. Below are structures of three alcohols. Circle the one which would fit the tests that the student carried out. Explain your choice.

Explanation / Answer

2) Ethylene glycol forms hydrogen bonding with water. So it mixes well with water forming a low freezing point solution. 3)As it undergoes oxidation with chromic acid it is not a tertiary alcohol. Since it gives iodoform test, it oxidises to a methyl ketone.As it takes 15 minutes with Lucas reagent it is a secondary alcohol. So the answer is the 2nd alcohol.

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