CBSENEETClass 10
How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?
Answer
Add sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃): a carboxylic acid gives brisk effervescence of CO₂, whereas an alcohol shows no reaction.
The working
Choose the test
Use the sodium hydrogen carbonate test, since only acids react with NaHCO₃ to release carbon dioxide.
Perform it
Add a small amount of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution to each compound separately.
Observe
The carboxylic acid produces brisk effervescence due to CO₂ gas, while the alcohol shows no bubbling.
Reaction
For acetic acid, CH₃COOH + NaHCO₃ → CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂, confirming the acid.
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