Question

differentiate between ethanol and ethanoic acid on the basis of litmus, reaction with sodium carbonate and bicarbonate , reaction with sodium

Answer 1

Ethanol is Ethyl alcohol( C2H5OH) .i.e an alcohol

Ethanoic acid is CH3COOH  (CARBOXYLIC ACID)

1)Litmus Test: It is the characteristic test for acids and bases thus ethanoic acid being an acid will show this test.

 It turns blue litmus to red.

Ethanol would not show this test .

2)Reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate:Ethanoic acid consists of - COOH functional group thus it would show this  test and form effervescence.It basically  forms carbon dioxide .

Ethanol would not show this test too.