A substance (X) be oxidised to acetic acid (CH3COOH)? Name substance (X) and write two tests to demonstrate acidic nature of acetic acid.
The substance X is ethanol (C2H5OH).
The acidic nature of acetic acid can be shown using:
(a) Litmus test – Chemicals which are acidic in nature turn blue litmus red
(b) Sodium carbonate test – Acids when treated with sodium carbonate gives effervescence due to the liberation of carbon dioxide. Acetic acid also produces CO2 in this reaction.
2CH3COOH + Na2CO3→ 2CH3COONa + CO2↑ + H2O