Question

How will you convert acetic acid into (a) Methane (b) Ethyl alcohol (c) Acetamide

Answer 1

Hint: At first we will look into acetic acid and its molecular formula. Then we will look into steps where first we will make Methane from acetic acid. Once we do that we will look into that reaction.
The reactions should be balanced. We will also find that we will form Acetamide with amine and then we will look at the reactions.

Complete Step by step solutions:
Step1: Acetic acid, which is also known as the ethnic acid. Its chemical formula is $C{H_3}COOH$. It is an important component of vinegar, which is often found in our households. It is a weak monoprotic acid.
Step2. We can convert methane from acetic acid by two reactions. First we will react to this acid from sodium hydroxide. This will perform an acid base reaction which will result in water and a salt. Later on that salt will again react with Sodium hydroxide in presence of $CaO$ . It will result in Methane and sodium carbonate.
The reaction is given below
$C{h_3}COOH + NaOH \to C{H_3}COONa + {H_2}O$ . This is an acid base reaction.
$C{H_3}COONa + NaOH\mathop \to \limits^{(CaO)} C{H_4} + N{a_2}C{O_3}$
We get methane here.
Step3. We will use reducing agent $LiAl{H_4}$ with ${H^ + }$ and water. It will be reduced in two stages. First it will turn to acetaldehyde and tha to ethanol). The reaction must happen in dry diethyl ether because $LiAl{H_4}$ reacts violently with water.
Reaction is given below:
$C{H_3}COOH\mathop \to \limits_{{(H^ + },{H_2}O)}^{LiAl{H_4}} C{H_3}C{H_2}OH$
Step4. When we mix acetic acid with ammonia it will turn into sodium acetate. When we heat that sodium acetate it turns into acetamide and water.
Reaction is given below:
$C{H_3}COOH + N{H_3} \to C{H_3}COON{H_4}$
$C{H_3}COON{H_4} \underrightarrow \Delta C{H_3}CON{H_2} + {H_2}O$
Hence we get all desired products.

Note:
Ethanol is used as drinking alcohol. It is a common ingredient in many cosmetics and beauty products. It helps in cleaning up the skin. It is used as medicine for animals to stop diarrhea. It is used to kill microorganisms and it is commonly used to make hand sanitizers.