What substance can be used to distinguish between aqueous solutions of ethanol and acetic acid?

| May 7, 2021 | education

1. Ethanol can be determined by the iodoform test. We write down the equation of reactions.
Н3С – СН2ОН + I2 -> H3C – COH + 2HI.
H3C – COH + 3 I2 -> I3C – COH + 2HI.
I3C – COH + NaOH -> CH3I + HCOONa.
5HI + 5 NaOH -> 5NaI + 5H2O.
In general.
C2H5OH + 6 NaOH + 4 I2 = CHI3 + HCOONa + 5 NaI + H2O.

2. Qualitative reactions to acetic acid.
CH3COOH + C5H11OH = CH3 (CH2) 4OCOCH3 + H2O.
That is, when acetic acid interacts with amyl alcohol and sulfuric acid, the result is amyl acetate, with a characteristic smell of pear essence.

Reaction with ferric chloride.
CH3COONa + FeCl3 = Fe (OH) 2CH3COO + NaCl.
First, we convert the acetic acid to the sodium acetate salt. Next, add a solution of ferric chloride, dilute with water and heat. As a result, Fe (OH) 2CH3COO precipitate is formed, which has a brown color.



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