Ceric ammonium nitrate and CHCl3∕alc.KOH are used for the identification of functional groups present in alcohol and amine respectively. Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) test When an alcohol reacts with few drops of CAN, a red complex ammonium nitrate is developed which confirms presence of alcoholic −OH group.
3ROH
Alcohol
+
(NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6]
Ceric‌ammonium
−NH4NO3
───────▶
Red‌colour
[Ce(NO3)4(ROH)3]
Red‌complex
Test with CHCl3 and alcoholic KOH [Carbylamine test or Saytzeff's isocyanide test] When a primary amine (aliphatic or aromatic) is heated with alcoholic KOH and chloroform (CHCl3), the isocyanide (carbylamine) is formed as indicated by a foul order.
R−NH2
1∘−amine
+CHCl3+
3KOH
(alc.)
∆
───────▶
−3KCl−3H2O
R−NC
Carbylamine
Secondary and tertiary amines do not respond to carbylamine test.