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.