Question

Consider the following organic compound:

CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, CH₃COCH₃, CH₃COOH, C₂H₅COOH, C₄H₉COOC₂H₅, CH₄, C₂H₆, CH₃CHO, HCHO

Out of these compound:

1. Which compound is most likely to be sweet-smelling?
2. Which compound on treatment with conc. H₂SO₄ at 170°C forms an alkene?
3. Which compound on repeated chlorination forms chloroform?
4. Which compound is added to alcohol to denature it?
5. Which compound is a constituent of vinegar?
6. Which compound is used to sterilise wounds and syringes?

Answer 1

1. The compound C₄H₉COOC₂H₅ is a sweet-smelling ester.
2. C₂H₅OH is the formula of ethanol, which, when treated with concentrated sulphuric acid at 170°C, forms an alkene called ethene. It has the molecular formula C₂H_4.
3. CH₄ (methane) is the compound that, on repeated chlorination, forms chloroform.
4. CH₃OH (methanol or methyl alcohol) is added to alcohol to denature it.
5. CH₃COOH (acetic acid) is a constituent of vinegar.
6. C₂H₅OH (ethanol) is the compound which is used to sterilise wounds and syringes.