Question

An organic compound A is the constituent of antifreeze. This compound on heating with Oxygen forms another organic compound B which has a molecular formula ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{4}}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$. Identify the compounds A and B. Write a chemical equation of the reaction that takes place to form the compound B.

Answer 1

Part 1:

• Ethanol is commonly known as Ethyl alcohol.
• Ethanol is the constituent of antifreeze which suggest that compound A is Ethanol $\left(C_2{H}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$.

Part 2:

• When Ethanol is heated with oxygen in the presence of alkaline${\mathbf{KMnO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$, Ethanoic acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$ is formed.
• Therefore, compound A is Ethanol $\left(C_2{H}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$ and compound B is Ethanoic acid$\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$.

Part 3:

• The chemical equation for the oxidation of ethanol is represented as follows:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+2\left[\mathrm{O}\right]\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\stackrel{\mathrm{alk}{\mathrm{KMnO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid} \\ \mathrm{A}\mathrm{B} \end{gathered}$$