Name the oxidising agent used for the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid. Distinguish between ethanol and ethanoic acid on the basis of (i) litmus test, (ii) reaction with sodium carbonate.


Alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or acidified potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) can be used as an oxidizing agent for the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid.
  1. Litmus test: Ethanoic acid turns blue litmus solution red whereas ethanol being neutral in nature has no effect on litmus solution.
  2. Reaction with sodium carbonate: Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate to form sodium ethanoate and carbon dioxide gas is evolved. The reaction involved is given below:

$2CH_3COOH + Na_2CO_3\rightarrow 2CH_3COONa + H_2O + CO_2$

Ethanol does not react with sodium carbonate.
$CH_3CH_2OH + Na_2CO_3\rightarrow No reaction$

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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