Question

a) Define "Esterification"
b) Write any three uses of ethanol.

Answer 1

a) Ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of conc. $H_{2}S{O}_4$ to form ethyl ethanoate & water.

The compound formed by the reaction of an alcohol with carboxylic acid is known as ester (fruit smelling compound) & the reaction is called esterification.

$C_2{H}_{5}OH+C{H}_{3}COOH\to C{H}_{3}COO{C}_2{H}_5+H_{2}O$

b) Uses of ethanol are:

• It is used as solvent for gums and resins.
  
• It used in thermometers and spirit lamps.
  
• It is used in the manufacture of certain chemicals like acetaldehyde and acetic acid