Question

Differentiate between carboxylic acid and phenol by chemical reaction?

Answer 1

Phenols and carboxylic acids can be easily distinguished by the sodium bicarbonate test. Sodium bicarbonate is a weak base that readily reacts with carboxylic acids but not with phenols (Carboxylic acids are stronger acids than phenols, so they can easily react with a mild base such as NaHCO3).