Question

How can ethanol and ethanoic acid be differentiated on the basis of their chemical properties?

Answer 1

Distinction based on chemical properties:

1. When a bit of sodium hydrogen carbonate is introduced to ethanoic acid, a lively release of carbon dioxide gas occurs, indicated by vigorous bubbling. Ethanol, however, does not exhibit any reaction under similar conditions. \[\ce{CH3COOH + NaHCO3 -> CH3COONa + \underset{(Brisk effervescence)}{CO2↑}+ H2O}\]
2. Ethanoic acid reacts with alkaline substances like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), yielding the respective salt and water as products. On the other hand, ethanol does not engage in a reaction with these substances.
   1. \[\ce{CH3COOH + NaOH -> CH3COONa + H2O}\]
   2. \[\ce{CH3COOH +KOH -> CH3COOK + H2O}\]