Question

An organic compound A has the molecular formula ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\mathrm{O}$. On oxidation in air in the presence of heated Copper as catalyst, it is oxidized to ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$. What is the compound A? Give equation for the reaction.

Answer 1

Part 1:

• The given compound A has molecular formula ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\mathrm{O}$.
• Oxidation of A in presence of Copper catalyst gives Ethanoic acid or Acetic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$).
• Alcohol on oxidation in presence of heated Copper catalyst gives Carboxylic acid.
• Therefore, compound A is Ethanol or Ethyl alcohol.
• The chemical formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$.

Part 2:

• The chemical reaction is,
  $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\underset{\mathrm{Heated}\mathrm{Cu}}{\overset{\mathrm{Air}\left[\mathrm{O}\right]}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$