Question

An unknown alcohol is treated with the Lucas reagent to determine whether the alcohol is primary, secondary or tertiary. Which alcohol reacts fastest and by what mechanism?

• A. Tertiary alcohol by $S_N2$
• B. Secondary alcohol by $S_N1$
• C. Tertiary alcohol by $S_N1$
• D. Secondary alcohol by $S_N2$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Tertiary alcohol by $S_N1$

Answer 2

In Lucas test, turbidity appears immediately with tertiary alcohol by $S_N 1$ mechanism