Question 1

How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

Answer

We can experimentally distinguish between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid by reacting with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. Acid reacts with carbonate and hydrogen carbonate to evolve CO2 gas that turns lime water milky.

Metal Carbonate/Metal Hydrogncarbonate + Carboxylic acid
                                             ↓                    
                          Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide

Alcohols, on the other hand, do not react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates.

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