Question

Name the distinctive reaction that takes place when ethanol is treated with acetic acid.

Answer 1

• When ethanol is treated with ethanoic (acetic) acid, it gives an ester that has a fruity smell and this reaction is known as an Esterification reaction.
• The chemical reaction is as follows:

$\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to \underset{\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{ethanoate}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$