Question

differentiate between ethanol and ethanoic acid on the basis of:-
a. blue Litmus Test
b. reaction with sodium bicarbonate c. sodium metal test

Answer 1

a. ethanoic acid is acidic in nature and therfore gives blue litmus test i.e. it changes blue litmus to red whereas ethanol does not give this test.

b. ethanoic acid react with sodium bicarbonate whereas ethanol does not.
CH3CH2COOH + NaHCO3 gives
CH3COO-Na+ + H2O + CO2

c. ethanol gives sodium metal test whreas ethanoic acid does not.
CH3CH2OH + Na give CH3CH2O-Na+ + H2