AOAC Official Method 935.16 Acetone, Other Ketones, Isopropanol, and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol in Distilled Liquors
Qualitative Test
First Action 1935
Final Action 1965
Surplus 1994
A. Reagent
Mercuric sulfate solution.—Mix 5 g yellowHgOwith 40mLH2O and add, with stirring, 20 mL H2SO4 and 40 mL H2O. Stir until completely dissolved.
B. Determination
To 2 mL distillate, 950.05B (see 26.1.24), add 3 mL H2O and 10 mL HgSO4 solution. Heat on boiling H2O bath 3 min. White or yellow precipitate forming within 3 min indicates presence of acetone, other ketones, or tert-butanol. Disregard any precipitate forming after 3 min on boiling H2O bath.
If no precipitate forms, test for isopropanol as follows: Place 8 g CrO3 in 100 mL Kohlrausch flask, and add 15 mL H2O and 2 mL H2SO4. Connect flask with reflux condenser and add 5 mL test portion very slowly through condenser. Reflux 30 min; then cool and distil 2 mL, collecting distillate in 10 mL graduate. Add 3 mL H2O and 10 mL HgSO4 solution, and proceed as above.
CAS-67-64-1 (acetone)
CAS-75-65-0 (tert-butyl alcohol)
CAS-67-63-0 (isopropyl alcohol)
