Statement 17.1.6:

This statement is about the use of the triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction in picking out the presence of the CH₃CO- group in aldehydes and ketones.

Before you go on, you should find and read the statement in your copy of the syllabus.

You will find all of this on the page about the triiodomethane reaction with aldehydes and ketones.

You will probably be doing this reaction at much the same time as you do the equivalent reaction with alcohols, and similar things apply:

• You only need to learn the reaction using iodine and sodium hydroxide solution.

• The most important part of the page is the section headed "What the triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction shows".

• You will, however, be expected to be able to write the structures of both of the organic products of the reaction - the triiodomethane and the sodium salt, RCOONa. CIE expects you to give this in the form of the carboxylate ion as shown in the syllabus statement.

• You could be asked for the equation for the reaction (although I don't think it is very likely).

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