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Q. 1.     How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

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We can distinguish between alcohol and carboxylic acid by reacting them with carbonates/hydrogen carbonates. The acid reacts with hydrogen carbonate to liberate carbon dioxide which turns lime water milky.

CH_3COOH + NaHCO_3 \rightarrow CH_3COONa + CO_2 + H_2O

Whereas alcohol shows no evolution of gas when reacted with carbonates.

C_2H_5OH + NaHCO_3 \rightarrow no\ reaction

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HARSH KANKARIA

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