Question

what is the difference between ethanol and ethanoic acid?

Answer 1

Ethanol does not react with metal carbonates while, ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates to form salt, water and carbon dioxide.

For example, 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 --> 2CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O

Ethanol does not react with NaOH while ethanoic acid reacts with NaOH to form sodium ethanoate and water.

For example, CH3COOH + NaOH --> CH3COONa + H2O

Ethanol is oxidized to give ethanoic acid in presence of acidified KMnO4 while, no reaction takes place with ethanoic acid in presence of acidified KMnO4.

Answer 2

At room temperature, Ethanol is always a liquid, and it has a melting point of 156K and a boiling point of 351 K. Ethanoic acid is also referred to as glacial acetic acid because its melting point is 16oC. ... Ethanoic acid has a vinegar-like smell. Ethanol does not react with carbonates or hydrogen carbonate.