Question

A liquid was mixed with ethanol and a drop of concentrated $ {H_2}S{O_4} $ was added. A compound with a fruity smell was formed. The liquid was:
(A) $ C{H_3}OH $
(B) $ HCHO $
(C) $ C{H_3}COC{H_3} $
(D) $ C{H_3}COOH $

Answer 1

Hint : Ethanol is an organic compound consisting of two carbon atoms in its chain along with the alcohol functional group. Ethanol shows certain characteristic reactions through which it can be easily identified and esterification is one such reaction.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Organic compounds that have a characteristic fruity smell are usually esters. Esters are a derived functional group from carboxylic acids formed by replacing the ionizable hydrogen ion with an alkyl group.
The preparation of esters is carried out by a simple process called the esterification process. This method involves the use of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid group. These two organic compounds are taken in an acidic medium (addition of drops of sulphuric acid) which facilitates the reaction. The ester produced in the reaction contains the carboxylate part from the carboxylic acid and the alkyl group from the alcohol. Water is also produced as a by-product of this reaction.
Ethanol is a volatile alcohol containing two carbon atoms only and usually reacts with acetic acid or ethanoic acid to produce ethyl acetate as a result of esterification reaction. The reaction can be written as follows:
 $ {C_2}{H_5}OH + C{H_3}COOH\xrightarrow{{{H^ + }}}C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5} $
Hence, the liquid is ethanoic acid and the correct option is (d).

Note :
The esterification reaction can be carried out in the presence of an acid or a base. The mechanism of the reactions carried out in acidic and basic mediums are completely different from one another but the final product remains the same.