Question

how would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid

Answer 1

Reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate  :

1) Alcohol has no reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3)

2) In the case of Carboxylic acid it reacts with NaHCO3 which gives CH3COONa, CO2 and H2O

Answer 2

Answer:

• On reaction with Sodium Carbonate ,Carboxylic acids produces carbon dioxide gas which turns lime water milk whereas alcohols do not give this reaction.
• This experiment can be used to distinguish alcohol and carboxylic acid.

Reaction of Carboxylic acid with sodium carbonate:

2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2