Question

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

Answer 1

we can distinguish an alcohol and a carboxylic acid on the basis of the reaction with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates . acid reacts with carbonate and hydrogen carbonate to evolve CO2 gas that turns lime water milky. alcohols and other hand do not react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates.
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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