Final answer:
The question is about the chemical process of forming an ester through an esterification reaction between a carboxylic acid and ethanol, where ethanol is also oxidized to the same carboxylic acid using alkaline KMnO4 and acidification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question describes the formation of a compound X through the reaction of a carboxylic acid with the formula C₂H₄O₂ and an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, H₂SO₄. The reaction is an example of esterification, where the -OH group of the carboxylic acid reacts with the -OH of the alcohol to form an ester and water. The given details suggest that the alcohol is ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH), which upon oxidation with an oxidizing agent like alkaline KMnO₄ (potassium permanganate) followed by acidification, yields the same carboxylic acid, thus implying that the oxidation process converts ethanol to acetaldehyde and then to the carboxylic acid.
Ethanol, being a primary alcohol, is first oxidized to an aldehyde (acetaldehyde) and further oxidation turns it into a carboxylic acid. It's important to note that secondary alcohols, on oxidation, yield ketones instead. This process is highlighted through the oxidation of isopropyl alcohol by potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) to form acetone.
So, the oxidation of the primary alcohol (ethanol) to an aldehyde (acetaldehyde) that is further oxidized to a carboxylic acid represents the sequential chemical transformation in the reaction described. The alcohol and the carboxylic acid react to form an ester in a typical esterification reaction.