Q 12.13 Give simple chemical tests to distinguish between the following pairs of compounds.
(iv) Benzoic acid and Ethyl benzoate
Both can be distinguish by sodium bicarbonate test, In this test, benzoic acid react with to give brisk effervescence due to evolution of carbon dioxide (
) but Ethyl benzoate does not.
Benzoic acid, being an acid gives a positive sodium bicarbonate test. It gives an effervescence of carbon dioxide gas upon reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate. Whereas, ethyl benzoate does not react with sodium hydrogen carbonate and gives a negative sodium bicarbonate test.