Answers to

Exercise – Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

1. Complete the table below.

name of
propanol
compound

molecular
C3H6O2
formula

full structural
formula

products of
carbon dioxide carbon dioxide
complete
combustion and water and water

2. Carboxylic acids exhibit acidic properties.

(a) Describe a simple test to show the acidity of a sample of aqueous carboxylic acid. (Do
not use pH meter or pH indicator).

Reagent: metals such as magnesium or a carbonate (eg calcium carbonate)

Distinguishing Observation: Effervescence,

tests for gas gives a ‘pop’ sound with a lighted splint (if Mg is used).
RCOOH and Gas is hydrogen
ROH Effervescence,
gas forms white ppt with limewater (carbonate is used).
Gas is carbon dioxide

(b) Some carboxylic acids are unsaturated.

Describe a simple test to show unsaturation in a sample of aqueous carboxylic acid.

Reagent: aqueous bromine

Observation: brown aqueous bromine becomes colourless rapidly on mixing

(c) Crotonic acid is a monounsaturated carboxylic acid with the formula C3H5CO2H.
When it is hydrogenated, a saturated acid with the formula C3H7CO2H is obtained.

Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated carboxylic acid with the formula C17H31CO2H. When
it is hydrogenated, a saturated acid with the formula C17H35CO2H is obtained.

How many carbon-carbon double bonds are present in one molecule of linoleic acid?
Explain your answer.

C17H35COOH is a saturated carboxylic acid. Since linoleic acid (C17H31COOH) has

four LESS hydrogen atoms, it must contain 2 carbon- double bonds, as 2
hydrogen atoms are required to saturate 1 carbon-carbon double bond.

C C + H2 C C
 3. Use the following reaction scheme to answer the questions that follow.

1,2-
Z
dibromoeth
H
ane X
H fermentation D dehydration
e
H h
gl Y
u y
H dr
c
a) Give the nameso of the at and conditions needed to ferment glucose.
substances
H in
s
g
Substances : eyeast and water
H a
Conditions : about 37C , oxygen-free
g environment (anaerobic)
e
H gas that is produced together
b) Name the nt with X during fermentation of glucose.
Carbon dioxide to
C u
c) Give the names of substances X, s Y and Z.
C Dehydrating agent to use?
e
Excess conc H2SO4, heat
X: ethanol Y: ethene ? Z: poly(ethene)
C E
xc
d) W is in the same homologous series
e as X. Dehydration of W gives the following
C
substance: ss
C c
o
n
C c
H
H 2
Give the full structure of W. S
O
H H H 4, H H H H
-OH functional h
group could also be H H C C e C C C C H
at C2. at
In both cases, 2
H H H H O H H
possible alkenes
formed
O H

H
e) V is in the same homologous series as Y. The bromination of V gives the following
substance:
H

If both Br =
OH, what will
be the product
when the diol Dehydrating
is subject to agent removes
dehydration? Give theHfull structure of V.
elements of
water forming
H H H H H C=C.

H C C C C C H To remove
elements of
acid HBr,
H H H suggest a
possible
reagent to
remove it.
4. Ethanoic acid is made from ethanol by oxidation.

a) Write the full structural formulae of ethanoic acid and ethanol.

CH3CH2OH + 2[O] CH3COOH + H2O

b) Name a common substance, used at home, containing ethanoic acid.

Vinegar

c) Name a common laboratory reagent that can oxidise ethanol to ethanoic acid.
Acidified potassium manganate(VII)

d) Ethanol and ethanoic acid react together to produce another organic compound.
i) State the conditions needed for this reaction.
concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst and heat the mixture to about 70oC

ii) Name the organic product and give one important industrial use for it.
Name : ethyl ethanoate
Use :

CH3COOH + HOCH2CH3 CH3COO CH2CH3 + H2O

Guess where the elements of water H – OH taken from.