Question

A compound X when treated with an organic acid Y (having vinegar-like smell) in the presence of the acid Z, forms a compound P which has a fruity smell.

1. Identify X, Y and Z
2. Write the structural formula of X and Y.
3. What type of compound is P?
4. Name the above reaction.
5. If compounds X and Y both have 2 carbon atoms. Write the reaction.

Answer 1

(a) X = Ethanol, C₂H₅OH

Y = Acetic acid, CH₃COOH

Z = Conc. H₂SO₄

(b) Compound X:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{H\phantom{..}H\phantom{..}}\\
|\phantom{...}|\phantom{..}\\
\ce{H-C-C-OH}\\
|\phantom{...}|\phantom{..}\\
\ce{H\phantom{..}H\phantom{..}}\\
\end{array}\]

Compound Y:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{\phantom{..}H\phantom{..}O\phantom{....}}\\
|\phantom{...}||\phantom{..}\\
\ce{H-C-C-OH}\\
|\phantom{......}\\
\ce{H}\phantom{......}\\
\end{array}\]

(c) Compound P is an ester named ethyl acetate.

(d) Esterification reaction

(e) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Ethanol}}{C2H5OH} + \underset{\text{Acetic acid}}{CH3COOH} ->[conc.H2SO4]\underset{\text{Ethyl acetate}}{CH3COOC2H5} + H2O}\]