An organic compound A of molecular formula C₂H₆O is a constituent of wine and beer. This compound on heating with alkaline potassium permanganate forms another organic compound B which turns blue litmus to red. Identify the compounds A and B.

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Solution

An organic compound A of molecular formula C₂H₆O is a constituent of wine and beer, so it must be an alcohol containing molecule, i.e. ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH).

When ethanol is treated with alkaline potassium permanganate, it oxidizes ethanol and forms compound "B" which is ethanoic acid.

$C_{2} H_{5} OH + {KMnO}_{4} \overset{alkaline}{\to} {CH}_{3} COOH + H_{2} O$

Due to the formation of ethanoic acid, blue litmus turns red.

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