An organic acid X is a liquid, which often freezes during winter time in cold countries, having the molecular formula C2H4O2. on warming it with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid, a compound Y with a sweet smell is formed.
(a) Identify X and Y. Also write their formulae showing the functional group present in them.
(b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.
(a) The organic acid, X, which often freezes in the winters in cold countries, is ethanoic acid. It has the molecular formula CH3−COOH.
The formula with its functional group is represented as:
When ethanoic acid is warmed with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid, the compound 'Y' with sweet fragrance is formed. This compound is called methyl ethanoate, and its molecular formula is CH3−COO−CH3.
The formula with its functional group is represented as:
(b) The chemical equation of the above-stated reaction is as follows:
CH3−COOH+CH3−OHConc.H2SO4−−−−−−−−→CH3−COO−CH3+H2O