Give chemical tests to detect the presence of a. ethanol and b. ethanoic acid.

(a) Reaction with Na metal:

Ethanol reacts with sodium metal to liberate hydrogen gas.

2R-OH + 2Na → 2R-O^-Na⁺ + H₂↑

Iodoform Test:

Ethanol when treated with iodine solution and sodium hydroxide produces a yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI₃).

CH₃CH₂OH + 4I₂ + 6NaOH → CHI₃ + HCOONa + 5NaI + 5H₂O

Esterification reaction:

Ethanol reacts with a carboxylic acid in the presence of an acid to produce sweet smelling compounds called esters. The reaction is called esterification reaction.

(b) Reaction with bases:

Ethanoic acid react with bases like NaOH to give salt and water. This is called neutralisation reaction.

Reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates:

Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates and bicarbonates to produce brisk effervescence due to the evolution of carbon dioxide.

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃→ 2CH₃COONa + CO₂↑ + H₂O

CH₃COOH + NaHCO₃→ CH₃COONa + CO₂↑ + H₂O

Esterification reaction:

Ethanoic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid to produce sweet smelling compounds called esters. The reaction is called esterification reaction.