Question

List two tests for experimentally distinguishing between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid and describe how these tests are performed.                                 

Answer 1

Heya...

Here's your answer....

1.litmus test :alcohol does not have any affect on litmus paper so it is neutral whereas carboxylic acid turns blue to red as it is acidic in nature.

2.carboxylic acid releases carbon dioxide gas whereas alcohol releases hydrogen gas.

3.alcohol has a pleasant smell whereas carboxylic acid has smell of vinegar.

Thanks...!!!

XD

Sorry baby 'wink'

Answer 2

$\sf{Answer -}$

In order to distinguish between alcohol and carboxylic acids, you can perform the following two tests -

1. Litmus test.

When you treat litmus paper with alcohol, no change would be observed.

While carboxylic acid turns the blue litmus paper to red.

2. Reaction with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate.

When treated alcohol with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate $(NaHCO_{3})$ , no effect is seen.

Whereas when we treat carboxylic acid with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate $(NaHCO_{3})$, we get Sodium Acetate ion $(CH_{3}COONa)$, Carbon dioxide $(CO_{2})$ and water $(H_{2}O)$ as a product.