Question

Show by means of equations how you will separate a mixture of benzoic acid and phenol

Answer 1

sodium bicarbonate test

Answer 2

Answer:

We can use aqueous sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) to separate the mixture of benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH) and phenol (C₆H₅OH).

Benzoic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate forming sodium benzoate (C₆H₅COONa), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

C₆H₅COOH (aq) + NaHCO₃ (aq) → C₆H₅COONa (aq) + H₂CO₃ (aq) ⇄ H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)

Whereas phenol is a weak acid and does not react with sodium bicarbonate.

So, by this, we can separate the mixture of benzoic acid and phenol.