Yvons test is a term used in chemistry or pharmaceutical sciences to refer to a specific method of quantitative analysis known as Yvon's method or the Yvons test, primarily used for the determination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in organic compounds.
The Yvons test is based on the combustion of the organic compound in a specialized apparatus, usually constructed of glass tubes, where it reacts with an oxidizing agent, such as copper oxide or sodium peroxide. The combustion generates carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), and potentially other reaction products. These gases are subsequently collected, separated, and measured using various techniques, such as absorption in suitable reagents or gas chromatography.
By quantifying the amounts of carbon dioxide and water produced, the content of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the original organic compound can be determined. This test is especially valuable in determining the percentage composition or empirical formula of unknown organic substances.
The Yvons test is named after its creator, French chemist Edmond-Jean Yvon (1864-1933), who developed this method in the late 19th century. Yvon's significant contributions to analytical chemistry have revolutionized the field and provided scientists with a reliable technique for elemental analysis in organic compounds.
