When ethanol is warmed with ethanoic acid in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, an ester ethyl ethanoate is formed.CH3CH2OH + CH3CO2H → CH3CO2CH2CH3During this reaction:
Correct answer: C. O-H bond in ethanol is broken
- A. Alcohol is reduced
- B. O-H bond in ethanoic acid is broken
- C. O-H bond in ethanol is broken
- D. Acid is oxidised
Explanation
In the given reaction, ethanol and ethanoic acid react in the presence of a strong acid catalyst (usually concentrated sulphuric acid) to form an ester, ethyl ethanoate. This reaction is an example of an esterification reaction.The reaction involves the breaking of the O-H bond in the ethanol molecule and the O-H bond in the carboxylic acid molecule. The hydrogen from the -OH group of the ethanol combines with the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the carboxylic acid, leading to the formation of a water molecule. The remaining carbon-oxygen bond in both the ethanol and the carboxylic acid forms the ester linkage (-COO-) of the ester product.Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Alcohols
Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon atom and are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary. Their nomenclature, hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation, dehydration, reaction with sodium and conversion to haloalkanes are covered, along with the distinction between alcohols and phenols, where the hydroxyl group is attached directly to an aromatic ring.
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