[Aldebaran]

Other than using 2,4-DNPH (orange ppt. with ketone) I am trying to think of another simple test to differentiate a ketone from tertiary alcohol. A quick Google didn't produce anything. Any helpful suggestions?
Many thanks.

[sharbeldam]

if its methyl ketone its haloform reaction.
otherwise, maybe lucas reagent

[Aldebaran]

The question actually originated from considering linalool and ionone but got me thinking about the more general case and other options than 2,4-DNPH. Your suggestions are very helpful. I had thought about the Lucas reaction although I've never actually tried it out I am ashamed to admit!

Thanks.

[rolnor]

Whats wrong with DNPH?

[Aldebaran]

Nothing wrong with DNPH but one of my students asked if there were other tests and it got me thinking if there were other tests of general application.

[hollytara]

There are other compounds that make derivatives like DNPH - hydroxylamine to make the oxime for example. 

If you want something for the alcohol, ceric ammonium nitrate.

[Humr]

What about NaHSO3? It is used for purification of aldehydes or ketones. It forms crystals with those carbonyl compounds. Alcohol would not react.

[Meter]

Maybe not simple, but if the ketone and alcohol are the only functional groups present in the respective compounds, a Grignard reagent will react differently with both. Also, not sure, but maybe you can use HX acids, since these react with alcohols to form alkyl bromides + water, which would affect the overall pH. In a solution with a ketone, I doubt much would happen.