Answer to Question #165397 in Organic Chemistry for hillary rose

Question

Describe a simple CHEMICAL test to distinguish between :

Methanoic acid (HCO₂H) and Ethanoic acid (CH₃CO₂H)

Dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) and ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH)

Answer 1

1.

One way to distinguish between formic acid and acetic acid is Tollen's test. This test is also known as the silver mirror test. Formic acid gives Tollens test whereas acetic acid does not give this test.When formic acid is heated with Tollen's reagent, a silver mirror is formed on the inner sides of the test tube.

2.

diethyl ether and ethanol can be distinguished by reaction with sodium metal. ethanol on reaction will liberate H2 gas while ether doesn't react with sodium metal. ethyl alcohol on reaction gives ethylammonium ion wheres acetyl chloride gives ethanamide test.