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.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? [email protected]
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.
Practise Carboxylic Acids
550 free Carboxylic Acids MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this
Chemistry is on 14 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids questions
Which of the following organic acid does NOT have a COOH group?
Arrange the following in increasing strength of carboxylic acid with respect to chloro-substituted acids?
The complete reduction carboxylic acid results in the formation of________________?
Which of the following causes complete reduction of a carboxylic acid into alkanes?
Compound X & Y give effervesce with Na2CO3 solution, X gives a silver mirror with ammonical AgNO3 while Y gives sweet smell compound on heating with alcohol X & Y are
Acetic acid is soluble in?