Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate to give
Correct answer: A. sodium ethanoate, water and carbon dioxide
- A. sodium ethanoate, water and carbon dioxide
- B. sodium ethanoate and hydrogen
- C. ethanol and carbon dioxide
- D. no reaction
Explanation
Being a stronger acid than carbonic acid, ethanoic acid displaces carbon dioxide from a carbonate, and the effervescence produced is the standard test that distinguishes a carboxylic acid from both alcohols and phenols. With sodium metal the acid would give hydrogen instead. Neutralisation with an alkali gives only the salt and water.
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About Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids show acidic behaviour because their carboxylate ions are resonance-stabilised, and electron-withdrawing groups can change their strength. Reactions include neutralisation, esterification, formation of acid chlorides and amides, reduction, decarboxylation and substitution at the acyl carbon, which differs from the reactions of phenols.
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