Question

Potassium can replace sodium in lassaigne’s test.

(a) True

(b) False

This question was addressed to me during an interview.

My question comes from Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds in division Organic Chemistry – Basic Principles and Technique of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) True

The best I can explain: Potassium, like sodium is electropositive in nature. In lassaigne’s test, the elements present in the compound are converted from their covalent form to their ionic form by fusing the compound with sodium metal. Since, potassium has similar characteristics of electro positivity as sodium and since potassium is highly reactive, it can be used instead of sodium in lassaigne’s test.