How will you test acetic acid?
Solution
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) has a characteristic vinegar like smell. It releases carbon dioxide gas on reaction with metal carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. Also, it forms sweet smelling ester on reaction ethanol in the presence of conc. H2SO4.
To test whether the sample is acetic acid or not, the following steps should be done.
1. Take 1 mL each of ethanol and acetic acid along with a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid in a test tube.
2. Warm the mixture in a water-bath for 5-10 minutes.
3. Then, pour into a beaker containing 50 mL of water and smell the resultant mixture.
4. The sweet smell of ester confirms that the the test sample was acetic acid.
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) has a characteristic vinegar like smell. It releases carbon dioxide gas on reaction with metal carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. Also, it forms sweet smelling ester on reaction ethanol in the presence of conc. H2SO4.
To test whether the sample is acetic acid or not, the following steps should be done.
1. Take 1 mL each of ethanol and acetic acid along with a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid in a test tube.
2. Warm the mixture in a water-bath for 5-10 minutes.
3. Then, pour into a beaker containing 50 mL of water and smell the resultant mixture.
4. The sweet smell of ester confirms that the the test sample was acetic acid.