Question

State how would you distinguish between Acetic acid and Ethanol in your

laboratory. Give chemical equation of the reactions shown by them. Write the chemical

equations involved.

Answer 1

Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst to produce the ester, ethyl ethanoate. The reactionis slow and reversible. To reduce the chances of the reverse reactionhappening, the ester is distilled off as soon as it is formed.

Answer 2

Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in presence of concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalist to produce the ester,ethyle ethanoate.The reaction is slow and reversible.To reduce the chances of the reverse reaction happening,the ester is distilled off as soon as it form.