Question

When ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of conc. H₂SO₄, a substance with sweet smell is produced. Answer the following:

1. State the class of compounds to which the sweet smelling compounds belong.
2. Write the chemical equation for the reaction.

Answer 1

1. The sweet-smelling compound belongs to the class of esters.
2. \[\ce{CH3COOH + C2H5OH ->[conc.H2SO4] CH3COOC2H5 + H2O}\]