An organic acid X is a liquid, which often freezes during winter time in cold countries, having the molecular formula C2H4O2. On warming it with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid, a compound Y with a sweet  smell is formed.
(a) Identify X and Y. Also write their formulae showing the functional group present in them.
(b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.


(a) The organic acid, X, which often freezes in the winters in cold countries, is ethanoic acid
The structural formula is given below:
When ethanoic acid is warmed with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid, the compound 'Y' with sweet fragrance is formed. This compound is called methyl ethanoate,
The structural formula is given below:
(b) The chemical equation of the reaction is given below:
$CH_3COOH + C_2H_5OH \xrightarrow {conc H_2SO_4} CH_3COOC_2H_5 + H_2O$

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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