Question

Chemical test to distinguish between acetic acid and benzoic acid

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Methanoic acid (HCOOH)(HCOOH) or formic acid

Ethanoic acid CH3COOHCH3COOH or acetic acid

1) Methalic acid gives silver mirror test with Tollen's reagent , whereas ethanoic acid does not give that test .

HCOOH+2Ag(NH3)2]OH]→2Ag+2H2O+CO2+4NH3HCOOH+2Ag(NH3)2]OH]→2Ag+2H2O+CO2+4NH3

(silver mirror)

2) Methanoic acid gives white precipitate with mercuric chloride solution .

HCOOH+HgCl2→Hg2Cl2+CO2+2HClHCOOH+HgCl2→Hg2Cl2+CO2+2HCl

(white ppt)

Answer 2

Concepts:

Knowledge of organic compounds and functional groups

Given

Acetic Acid and Benzoic Acid

Find

Distinguish between the two acids

Solutions

Physical Properties

Acetic Acid has a pungent smell and is soluble in water , two properties not shown by Benzoic acid

Chemical test

We use Iodoform test to distinguish between the two.

• Acetic acid gives positive iodoform test while benzoic acid gives negative iodoform test

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