Benzene ring in phenol is expected to give the characteristic substitution or replacement reactions, i.e., halogenation, nitration, sulphonation, alkylation, etc. In these reactions, the attacking reagent is electrophile. The phenolic group activates the ortho and para positions in the ring due to conjugation. Disubstitution reactions are quite fast as the electron density in the ring has increased considerably. Phenols do not respond to nucleophilic substitution reactions as it is influenced by phenolic group.

Victor Meyer's test gives the following observations. Match List I with List II:

A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

The correct answer is (1) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.

The Victor Meyer test is a chemical test used to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. It is based on the reaction of these alcohols with nitrous acid to produce different colored solutions.

Steps of the Victor Meyer test:

1. The alcohol is treated with iodine \((I_2)\) in the presence of red phosphorus \((P)\) to give an iodoalkane.
2. The iodoalkane is allowed to react with alcoholic silver nitrite \((AgNO_2)\) to obtain a nitroalkane.
3. The nitroalkane is then treated with nitrous acid \((NaNO_2 + H_2SO_4)\) and the solution is made alkaline with potassium hydroxide \((KOH)\).

Observation of color:

• Primary alcohol: Blood red color solution is observed.
• Secondary alcohol: Blue color solution is observed.
• Tertiary alcohol: No color is observed (Colourless).
• Phenol: Violet colouration with \(FeCl_3\).

Explanation of color formation:

The color formation is due to the formation of different nitroso compounds. Primary alcohols react with nitrous acid to form primary nitroso compounds, which are red in color. Secondary alcohols react to form secondary nitroso compounds, which are blue in color. Tertiary alcohols do not react with nitrous acid, so no color is observed.

Limitations of the Victor Meyer test:

• The Victor Meyer test is not as sensitive as other methods for distinguishing between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.
• The test can be affected by the presence of impurities in the alcohol.
• The test is not suitable for very high-boiling alcohols.

Despite its limitations, the Victor Meyer test is a simple and useful method for distinguishing between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols in many situations.