Science
How can ethanol and ethanoic acid be differentiated on the basis of their physical and chemical properties?
Answer
| Ethanol | Ethanoic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical properties | Colourless liquid with characteristic pleasant odour | Colourless liquid with pungent odour of vinegar |
| Has a burning taste | Has a sour taste | |
| Boils at 78°C | Boils at 118°C | |
| Freezes at -117°C | Freezes at 16°C | |
| Chemical properties | Neutral in nature, hence, does not change the colour of litmus. | Acidic in nature, hence, turns wet blue litmus red. |
| Ethanol does not react with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonates | Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonates to produce salt, carbon dioxide and water. 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 ⟶ 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 CH3COOH + NaHCO3 ⟶ CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 | |
| Ethanol does not react with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) | Ethanoic acid reacts with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form Sodium ethanoate. CH3COOH + NaOH ⟶ CH3COONa + H2O |
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