Question

How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

Answer 1

When acid reacts with carbonate and hydrogen carbonate, it gives carbon dioxide which turns lime water milky. On the other hand, alcohol does not give carbon dioxide on reaction with carbonate or hydrogen carbonate. Thus, the reaction with carbonate or hydrogen carbonate; can be used to distinguish between carboxylic acid and alcohol.

Answer 2

1. Litmus Paper Test (Acid turns red and alcohol does not change the colour of the litmus paper).
2. Carboxylic acid react with sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate to produce CO2 gas which turns lime water milky.
While alcohol does not react with sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate.