Give chemical tests to detect the presence of a. ethanol and b. ethanoic acid.

(a) Reaction with Na metal:


Ethanol reacts with sodium metal to liberate hydrogen gas.


2R-OH + 2Na 2R-O-Na+ + H2


Iodoform Test:


Ethanol when treated with iodine solution and sodium hydroxide produces a yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI3).


CH3CH2OH + 4I2 + 6NaOH CHI3 + HCOONa + 5NaI + 5H2O


Esterification reaction:


Ethanol reacts with a carboxylic acid in the presence of an acid to produce sweet smelling compounds called esters. The reaction is called esterification reaction.



(b) Reaction with bases:


Ethanoic acid react with bases like NaOH to give salt and water. This is called neutralisation reaction.


Reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates:


Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates and bicarbonates to produce brisk effervescence due to the evolution of carbon dioxide.


2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 2CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O


CH3COOH + NaHCO3 CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O


Esterification reaction:


Ethanoic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid to produce sweet smelling compounds called esters. The reaction is called esterification reaction.



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