Question

List two test for experimentally distinguish between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate – Alcohol has no reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO

3

) but in the case of carboxylic acid, it reacts with NaHCO

3

which gives CH

3

COONa, CO

2

and H

2

O. The reaction is evident as the carbon dioxide will turn the lime water milky.

2. On adding Na metal to alcohol, H

2

gas is released which is evident in the form of bubbles. Carboxylic acid does not show such reaction.