Which of the following reagents is used to distinguish ethers from hydrocarbons?

Step-by-step solution

Ethers contain an oxygen atom with two lone pairs of electrons, which makes them behave as Lewis bases. When treated with cold concentrated H ₂ SO ₄ , ethers accept a proton from the acid to form oxonium salts, which are soluble in the acid mixture. R-O-R + H ₂ SO ₄ [ R-OH-R ]⁺ HSO ₄⁻ Hydrocarbons (such as alkanes) lack such lone pairs of electrons, do not get protonated, and remain insoluble in cold concentrated H ₂ SO ₄ . Thus, cold concentrated H ₂ SO ₄ is used to distinguish ethers from hydrocarbons. Answer: Co