Question

Which of the following will give a pleasant smell of ester when heated with ethanol and small quantity of sulphuric acid ?

• A. CH₂-CH₂-OH
• B. CH₃-OH
• C. CH₃-COH
• D. CH₃-COOH

Answer 1

Answer:

D. CH₃-COOH

• The correct answer is indeed CH₃-COOH, or Acetic Acid.

• When Acetic Acid (CH₃-COOH) is heated with ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and a small quantity of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), it undergoes an esterification reaction to form Ethyl Acetate (CH₃-COO-C₂H₅), which has a pleasant, fruity smell.

The reaction is:

CH₃-COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃-COO-C₂H₅ + H₂O

• This reaction is a classic example of esterification, and the resulting ester has a characteristic pleasant smell.