Question

3(b). A saturated organic compound A containing two carbon atoms reacted with ethanoic acid in the presence of a mineral acid to form a compound B with a sweet smell. (i) Name the functional group present in A. (ii) Draw the structure of A. (iii) Write a chemical equation to show the formation of B. (iv) Name the compound B.

Accepted Answer

(i) The functional group present in A is the hydroxyl group (–OH), since A is an alkanol (ethanol) that reacts with an acid to form a sweet-smelling ester.
(ii) The structure of A (ethanol, C₂H₅OH) is: H–C(H)(H)–C(H)(H)–OH (i.e. CH₃CH₂OH).
(iii) CH₃CH₂OH(l) + CH₃COOH(l) → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃(l) + H₂O(l).
(iv) Compound B is ethylethanoate (an ester with a sweet smell).

WAEC Chemistry 2015 Theory — Question 25

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