JCE Software Chemistry Comes Alive!
Ferric Chloride Test for Phenols

Aqueous ferric chloride is added to aqueous ethanolic solutions of each of cyclohexanol, phenol, acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin), and salicylic acid.

  Click a thumbnail picture below to view a larger version. View movie.
View Movie
 

Narrative
Aqueous ferric chloride is added to solutions of cyclohexanol, phenol, aspirin, and salicylic acid respectively. Phenolic compounds produce a purple iron complex.

Discussion
Four test tubes contain aqueous ethanolic solutions of cyclohexanol, phenol, acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin), and salicylic acid respectively. Aqueous ferric chloride is added to each tube. The compounds containing phenolic groups - phenol and salicylic acid - produce a purple iron complex.