how would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol & a carboxylic acid?
hi ARUNAV,THERE ARE 3 WAYS
1) LITMUS TEST - TAKE 2 ML OF ALCOHOL AND CARBOXYLIC ACID IN A TEST TBE.PUT 1 DROP OF BLUE LITMUS IN EACH OF THE TEST TUBES.THE LIQIUD WHICH SHOWS NO EFFECT IS ALCOHOL WHEREAS THE LIQUID WHICH TURNS IT INTO RED IS CARBOXYLIC ACID.
2) SODIUM BICARBONATE TEST - PUT A PICH OF SODIUM BICARBONATE IN EACH OF THE TEST TUBES.THE SAMPLE IN WHICH BRISK EFFERVESCENCE WITH THE EVOLUTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE WHICH TURNS LIME WATER MILKY IS ETHANOIC ACID WHILE WHICH DOESN'T REACT IS ALCOHOL.
3)POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE TEST - PUT A DROP OF POTASSIUM PERMANGANTE IN EACH OF THE TEST TUBES.THE SAMPLE WHICH DISCHARGES THE PINK COLOUR OF POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE IS ALCOHOL WHILE WHICH DOESN'T HAVE ANY EFFECT IS ETHNOIC ACID.