Question

A compound X(having vinegar like smell) when treated with ethanol in the presence of the acid Z, gives a compound Y which has a fruity smell. The reaction is:
$C_2{H}_{5}OH+X\stackrel{z}{\to }Y+H_{2}O$
(i) Identify Y and Z
(ii) Write the structural formula of X.
(iii) Name the reaction.

Answer 1

(i) Compound with vinegar like smell is acetic acid (X) which in the presence of few drops of sulphuric acid (Z) reacts with ethanol and gives an ester as:

$C_2{H}_{5}OH+C{H}_{3}COOH\left(X\right)\stackrel{{\left(Z\right)H}_{2}S{O}_4}{\to }C{H}_{3}COO{C}_2{H}_5\left(Y\right)+H_{2}O$

(ii)Structure of X is:

$H-\stackrel{\underset{|}{H}}{\underset{\underset{H}{|}}{C}}-\stackrel{\stackrel{O}{||}}{\underset{\underset{OH}{|}}{C}}$

(iii) Reaction is esterification of acid.