Discuss briefly the physical and chemical properties of ethanoic acid.

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Solution

1. Physical properties of ethanoic acid-
The melting point of pure ethanoic acid is 290 K. Hence it often freezes during winter in cold climates. This gave rise to its name glacial acetic acid. It is soluble in water due to hydrogen bonding.

2. Chemical properties of ethanoic acid-
a) Esterification reaction: Ethanoic acid reacts with absolute ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst to give an ester. Esters are sweet-smelling substances. These are used in making perfumes and flavouring agents.

$C H_{3} C O O H + C_{2} H_{5} O H {conc. H}_{2} {SO}_{4} - ------ \to C H_{3} C O O C_{2} H_{5} + H_{2} O$

b) Ethanoic acid reacts with a base such as sodium hydroxide to give salt (sodium ethanoate or sodium acetate) and water:

$N a O H + C H_{3} C O O H \to C H_{3} C O O N a + H_{2} O$

c) Ethanoic acid reacts with carbonates to give salt, carbon dioxide and water. The salt produced is commonly called sodium acetate.

$2 C H_{3} C O O H + N a_{2} C O_{3} \to 2 C H_{3} C O O N a + H_{2} O + C O_{2}$

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