(a) Decarboxylation : Sodium or potassium salt of carboxylic acids on heating with soda lime (NaOH and CaO), loses a molecule of carbon dioxide and alkanes are obtained as products.
(b) Phenol and Benzoic acid : Phenol and benzoic acid can be distinguished by their reactions with sodium bicarbonate solution. Benzoic acid will give effervescence with NaHCO3 but phenol will not react.