Question

Benzoic acid and carbolic acid can be distinguished by:

• A. aqueous $NaHC{O}_3$
• B. neutral $FeC{l}_3$
• C. aqueous $NaOH$
• D. aqueous $N{H}_3$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

aqueous $NaHC{O}_3$

$NaHC{O}_3$ deprotonates only benzoic acid, allowing it to go into water layer while carbolic acid (Phenol) is left behind in the organic layer. If $NaOH$ is used, it would deprotonate both the compounds, and they both would go to the aqueous layer.

Option A is correct.