Question

How can ethanol and ethanol acid be differentiated based on physical and chemical properties?

Answer 1

Hint:Ethanol is an organic chemical compound. It is a member of the alcohol family with the general formula ${C_n}{H_{2n + 1}}OH$ . Ethanoic acid is a member of the carboxylic acid family with the general formula ${C_n}{H_{2n + 1}}COOH$. Belonging to a different class of functional groups they have different physical and chemical properties.

Complete answer:
We know that ethanol is a member of the alcohol family with formula $C{H_3}C{H_2}OH$. It is a volatile, flammable, colourless liquid with a slight characteristic odour. Ethanoic acid on the other hand is a colourless liquid organic compound with formula $C{H_3}COOH$. It is also called glacial acetic acid in diluted form.
Based on the chemical and physical properties it can be classified in the following ways
1. At the room temperature, ethanol is always a liquid and has a melting point of $156K$ and ethanoic acid is also referred to as glacial acetic acid because it has a melting point of ${16^ \circ }C$.
2. Ethanol has a pleasant order whereas ethanoic acid has a vinegar-like smell.
3. Ethanol doesn’t react with carbonates or bicarbonates whereas ethanoic acid reacts with carbonates and bicarbonates. This is used as a standard test for differentiation of ethanol and ethanoic acid.
4. Ethanol gives the iodoform test whereas ethanoic acid doesn’t give the test. It changes blue litmus to red whereas ethanol doesn’t give litmus test.

Note:
Ethanol is an important industrial chemical used in the synthesis of many other organic chemicals. It is also used as an additive to automotive gasoline. Ethanoic acid is used in the manufacturing of esters.