Question

A compound X is formed by the reaction of a carboxylic acid C2H4O2 and an alcohol in the presence of a few drops of H2SO4. The alcohol, on oxidation with alkaline KMnO4 followed by acidification, gives the same carboxylic acid used in this reaction. Give the names and structures of (a) carboxylic acid, (b) alcohol, and (c) the compound X. Also, write the reaction.

Answer 1

Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) and ethanol react in the presence of H2SO4 to form ethyl acetate, which is an ester. Ethanol, when oxidized, yields the acetic acid used in this reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carboxylic acid involved in this reaction is acetic acid (ethanoic acid) with the formula CH3COOH. The alcohol that reacts with acetic acid to form compound X is ethanol (CH3CH2OH), which is a primary alcohol. When ethanol is oxidized with alkaline KMnO4 followed by acidification, it yields acetic acid. By adding a few drops of H2SO4 to the reaction, an ester is formed. This ester, compound X, is ethyl acetate (ethyl ethanoate) with the formula CH3COOCH2CH3.

The reaction for the formation of the ester (Compound X) is as follows:
CH3COOH (acetic acid) + CH3CH2OH (ethanol) → CH3COOCH2CH3 (ethyl acetate) + H2O (water)