Question

A compound X (having vinegar like smell) when treated with ethanol in the presence of the acid Z, gives a compound Y which has a fruity smell.

The reaction is: \[\ce{C2H5OH + X ->[Z] Y + H2O}\]

1. Identify Y and Z.
2. Write the structural formula of X.
3. Name the above reaction.

Answer 1

\[\ce{\underset{Ethyl alcohol}{C2H5OH} + \underset{Acetic acid}{CH3COOH} ->[Conc{.} H2SO4] \underset{Ethyl ethanoate}{CH3 - COO - C2H5} + H2O}\]

1. Y is ethyl acetate, and Z is conc. sulphuric acid.
2. \[\begin{array}{cc}
   \phantom{........}\ce{H}\phantom{....}\ce{O}\\
   \phantom{........}|\phantom{.....}||\\
   \ce{H - C - C}\\
   \phantom{........}|\phantom{......}|\\
   \phantom{..........}\ce{H}\phantom{...}\ce{OH}\\
   \end{array}\]
3. Esterification reaction