Question

When Ethyl alcohol and Acetic acid are mixed, the resulting Ester has a chemical formula -

• A. ${CH}_3{COOC}_2{H}_5$
• B. $C_2{H}_5{COOCH}_3$
• C. $C_2{H}_5{COOC}_2{H}_5$
• D. ${CH}_3{COOCH}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5$

The explanation for correct option:

A: ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{COOC}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{5}}$

1. Dehydrating agent: Sulphuric acid $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{SO}}_{\mathbf{4}}\right)$ works as a good dehydrating agent.
2. This is because it has a great affinity with water and hence removes water molecules from the compound.
3. While reacting Acetic acid and Ethyl alcohol, Sulphuric acid is used as a catalyst and works to speed the reaction and acts as a dehydrating agent.
4. The chemical reaction that occurs between Acetic acid and Ethyl alcohol, forms Ethyl acetate.
5. Such a type of reaction is called Esterification reaction.
6. The chemical reaction is as follows:
   $\underset{(\mathrm{Acetic}\mathrm{acid})}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+\underset{(\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{alcohol})}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }\underset{(\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{acetate})}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$
7. Therefore, option A is correct. When Ethyl alcohol and Acetic acid are mixed, the resulting Ester has a chemical formula ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{COOC}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{5}}$.