Lieben Test
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Lieben test detects acetone in a liquid by adding a solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and a solution of iodine in potassium iodide to a yellow color, then slightly heating it. This produces a pale yellow precipitate of iodoform with a characteristic odor, which under a microscope consists of hexagonal plates or stars. The test is not specific to acetone, as it also occurs with alcohol and aldehydes, but these do not interfere with the reaction if ammonia and an alcoholic iodine solution are used instead of caustic alkali and Lugol's solution.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
LIEBEN TEST (Lieben) for acetone; a few drops of NaOH or KOH solution, iodine solution in KJ to a yellow color, and a slight heating are added to the test liquid: a pale yellow precipitate of iodoform with a characteristic odor is formed, consisting under a microscope of hexagonal plates or stars. Under these conditions the precipitate is obtained not only from acetone, but also from alcohol and aldehyde; the latter do not harm the reaction if instead of caustic alkali and Lugol's solution ammonia and an alcoholic iodine solution (Gunning) are applied. The black precipitate of nitrogen iodide formed in this case gradually disappears, and in the presence of acetone a precipitate of iodoform is detected. In Gunning's modification the Lieben test is less sensitive.
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“Lieben Test.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/lieben-test/