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Question : 7
Total: 36
List two tests for experimentally distinguishing between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid and describe how these tests are performed.
Solution:
(i) Test I-Litmus test
Take two strips of blue litmus paper. Place a drop each of the alcohol and carboxylic acid on these strips separately. The blue litmus paper turns red in the case of carboxylic acid and remains unaffected in the case of alcohol.
(ii) Test II-Sodium bicarbonate test Add a pinch of sodium bicarbonate to both alcohol and carboxylic acid. If brisk effervescence with evolution of colourless, tasteless gas is evolved, then it is carboxylic acid and if no change is observed then alcohol.
Take two strips of blue litmus paper. Place a drop each of the alcohol and carboxylic acid on these strips separately. The blue litmus paper turns red in the case of carboxylic acid and remains unaffected in the case of alcohol.
(ii) Test II-Sodium bicarbonate test Add a pinch of sodium bicarbonate to both alcohol and carboxylic acid. If brisk effervescence with evolution of colourless, tasteless gas is evolved, then it is carboxylic acid and if no change is observed then alcohol.
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