Question

An organic compound ‘X’ is a constituent of wine and beer. This compound on oxidation forms another organic compound ‘Y’ which is a constituent of vinegar. Identify the compounds ‘X’ and ‘Y’. Write the chemical equation of the reaction that takes place to form the compound ‘Y’.

Answer 1

Part 1:

1. Ethanol is a constituent of beer and wine.
2. So, compound X is Ethanol (${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}$).
3. The oxidation of Ethanol in presence of alkaline Potassium permanganate (${\mathbf{KMnO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$) gives Acetic acid or Ethanoic acid (${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{COOH}$).
4. Therefore, compound Y is Acetic acid.

Part 2:

1. The chemical equation that takes place to form the compound Y is,

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+2\left[\mathrm{O}\right]\stackrel{\mathbf{Alk}\mathbf{.}{\mathbf{KMnO}}_{\mathbf{4}}}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$