Question

A carboxylic acid (molecular formula C₂H₄O₂) reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a compound 'X'. The alcohol on oxidation with alkaline KMnO₄ followed by acidification gives the same carboxylic acid C₂H₄O₂. Write the name and structure of 

(i) carboxylic acid, 

(ii) alcohol and 

(iii) the compound 'X'.

Answer 1

(i) C₂H₄O₄: CH₃-COOH - ethanoic acid

(ii) C₂H₅OH : ethanol

(iii) X is CH₃COOC₂H₅ - ethyl acetate [ethyl ethanoate-ester]