Question

Hey Fellas,
Can you please
Give some important
Reactions shown by Ethanol and Ethanoic Acids.
Class 10
Science
Chemistry
#Hits

Answer 1

What is Ethanoic Acid?

Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) belongs to the group of carboxylic acids and is commonly called as acetic acid. It is slightly heavier than water with a density of 1.05 g/cm3. After adding 5-8% of acetic acid in water it becomes vinegar and is mostly used as preservatives in pickles. Acetic acid is the common name for Ethanoic acid.

Properties of Acetic acid

Chemical formulaCH3COOHMolecular Weight/ Molar Mass60.05 g/molDensity1.05 g/cm3Boiling Point118oCMelting Point16oC

Acetic Acid structure:



What is glacial acetic acid?

Ethanoic acid is also referred to as glacial acetic acid because its melting point is 16oC.

Hence it often freezes in the winter season when the climate is cold.

Reactions of ethanoic acids:

Esterification reaction:

When carboxylic acid and alcohol react, the product formed is known as an ester. Below is an example of the formation of an ester from the reaction of ethanoic acid with absolute ethanol in the presence of an acid as a catalyst.

CH3COOH     +      CH3CH2OH      →     CH3COOCH2CH3

(Ethanoic acid) (Ethanol) (Esters)

Esters have a sweet fruity smell. They are mainly used for making perfumes and synthetic flavoring agents. The reaction of esters with alkalis gives carboxylic acid salt and alcohol. This reaction is used in the making of soaps and the process is called as saponification reaction.

CH3COOC2H5      + NaOH      →         C2H5OH +  CH3COONa

Reaction with a base:

Ethanoic acid reacts with a base to give the salt and water just like other mineral acids.

Reaction with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates:

Carbon dioxide, salt, and water are produced when ethanoic acid reacts with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. Sodium acetate is usually produced as a salt when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate as shown in the reaction below:

CH3COOH  +  NaHCO3     →      CH3COONa + H2O + CO2

Uses of Acetic Acid

Ethanoic acid is widely used in many industries.

Commercially it is used in the manufacturing of esters, vinegar, and many polymeric materials.

Vinegar has been shown to reduce high concentrations of blood sugar.

Used as an agent to lyse red blood cells before white blood cells are examined.

Used as a solvent in the production of camphor, ascent and cooking ingredient.

Used as a stop bath for photographic emulsion development.

Farmers sometimes spray acetic acid on livestock silage to fight fungal and bacterial growth