Question

A liquid was mixed with ethanol and a drop of concentrated ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$​ was added. A compound with a fruity smell was formed. The liquid was .

Answer 1

• The liquid that was mixed with ethanol was acetic acid.
• Acetic acid is an organic acid. Its chemical name is Ethanoic acid and its chemical formula is ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$.
• When a carboxylic acid and an alcohol react in the presence of conc. ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ , an ester is formed and this reaction is called an esterification reaction.
• Ester is a sweet-smelling organic compound and used for various purposes like in perfumes and room fresheners.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}+\mathrm{Ethanol}\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }\mathrm{Ethylacetate}+\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{ester}\right) \\ {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \end{gathered}$$