Question

An organic compound A is a constituent of wine and beer. The compound on heating with potassium dichromate or oxygen forms another compound B. Identify the compound A. Write the chemical equation for the complete reaction that takes place to form compound B. Name the compound B.

Answer 1

• It is given that Wine and beer both include organic compound A as an essential component.
• Compound A is classified as Ethanol since ethanol is a necessary component of wine and beer.
• When Ethanol is exposed to Potassium dichromate $\left({\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_7\right)$ as a catalyst, it is converted to acetic acid, as illustrated in the equation below.

$\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\stackrel{{\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_7}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Acetic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$

• Compound B is known as acetic acid since vinegar includes it.
• Compounds A and B have the following chemical formulas:
• Compound A - Ethanol $\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$
• Compound B - Acetic Acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$
• When component A and B react in the presence of an acid catalyst such concentrated sulfuric acid, ethyl acetate and water are formed. The following is the chemical equation for the reaction:

$\underset{\mathrm{Acetic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\stackrel{\mathrm{Conc}.{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{acetate}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$