Which chemical test is used to distinguish between benzoic acid and ethyl benzoate?
Correct answer: D. Sodium bicarbonate test
- A. Tollen's test
- B. Fehling's test
- C. Iodoform test
- D. Sodium bicarbonate test
Explanation
The sodium bicarbonate test is the correct option. It is a chemical test used to distinguish between benzoic acid and ethyl benzoate. Benzoic acid, being a carboxylic acid, reacts with sodium bicarbonate solution to produce carbon dioxide gas (effervescence) and a corresponding sodium salt. Ethyl benzoate, an ester, does not undergo this reaction because esters do not have acidic hydrogens available for the reaction with bicarbonate ions. Therefore, the absence or presence of effervescence when treated with sodium bicarbonate solution can differentiate between benzoic acid and ethyl benzoate.
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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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