Question

A carbo lic acid (molecular formula, C₂H₄O₂) reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a compound 'X'. the alcohol on oxidation with alkaline KMnO₄ followed by acidification gives the same carboxylic acid C₂H₄O₂.

Write the name and structure of (i) acid, (ii) alcohol and (iii) the compound 'X'

Answer 1

The carboxylic acid C2H4O2 mentioned is acetic acid, and the alcohol is ethanol. Ethanol is oxidized to acetaldehyde, then further to acetic acid. The ester formed (compound 'X') is ethyl acetate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carboxylic acid with the molecular formula C2H4O2 is acetic acid (CH3COOH). When acetic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, it forms an ester. The alcohol that, on oxidation with alkaline KMnO4, gives acetic acid is ethanol (CH3CH2OH). This reaction sequence indicates that ethanol is oxidized to acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), an aldehyde, before it is further oxidized to acetic acid.

The compound 'X' formed from the reaction of acetic acid and ethanol is ethyl acetate (CH3COOCH2CH3), an ester.

Overall, the process describes the formation of ethyl acetate from the reaction between acetic acid and ethanol, with the intermediate formation of acetaldehyde when ethanol is oxidized.