25B. Reactions of Ethanoic Acid

Summary

This experiment investigates the reactions of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate, magnesium, and ethanol. Ethanoic acid, a weaker acid compared to common inorganic acids, exhibits typical acid properties. When ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate, it produces carbon dioxide, which turns limewater milky. The reaction with magnesium forms magnesium ethanoate and releases hydrogen gas, causing a popping sound. Lastly, when mixed with ethanol and sulfuric acid as a catalyst, ethanoic acid forms an ester with a fruity smell. These reactions demonstrate the characteristic behavior of carboxylic acids.

Takeaways

• 🧪 The experiment studies the reactions of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate, magnesium metal, and ethanol.
• 🥼 Ethanoic acid is weaker than common inorganic acids like sulfuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acid, but still shows typical acidic properties.
• 💨 Sodium carbonate reacts with ethanoic acid, producing carbon dioxide, which extinguishes a lighted taper.
• 🧊 The gas produced in the sodium carbonate-ethanoic acid reaction turns lime water milky, indicating the formation of calcium carbonate (chalk).
• 🔬 The reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate forms sodium ethanoate, water, and carbon dioxide.
• ⚡ Magnesium metal reacts with ethanoic acid, producing fizzing and releasing hydrogen gas, which causes a popping sound when ignited.
• 🔥 The reaction between magnesium and ethanoic acid forms magnesium ethanoate and hydrogen gas.
• 🍸 Ethanol reacts with glacial ethanoic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid (as a catalyst), producing a fruity smell.
• 🌸 The fruity smell results from the formation of ethyl ethanoate, an ester, from the reaction between ethanol and ethanoic acid.
• 🔑 These reactions demonstrate that ethanoic acid shows typical carboxylic acid properties when reacting with sodium carbonate, magnesium, and ethanol.

Q & A

What are the substances tested with ethanoic acid in this experiment?

The substances tested with ethanoic acid are sodium carbonate, magnesium metal, and ethanol.

How does ethanoic acid compare to common inorganic acids like sulfuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids?

Ethanoic acid is a far weaker acid compared to common inorganic acids like sulfuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids, but it is still strong enough to exhibit typical acid properties.

What is observed when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate?

When ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate, fizzing occurs, and carbon dioxide is released, which extinguishes a lighted taper brought near the mouth of the test tube.

What gas is produced during the reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate, and how is this gas confirmed?

Carbon dioxide gas is produced during the reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate, and it is confirmed by passing the gas through lime water, which turns milky due to the formation of calcium carbonate.

What is the chemical equation for the reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate?

The reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate produces sodium ethanoate, water, and carbon dioxide. The equation is: 2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂.

What happens when magnesium metal reacts with ethanoic acid?

When magnesium metal reacts with ethanoic acid, fizzing is observed, and a lighted taper produces a mild popping sound due to the release of hydrogen gas.

What causes the popping sound during the reaction between magnesium metal and ethanoic acid?

The popping sound is caused by the explosive mixture of hydrogen gas and air, which is liberated during the reaction between magnesium metal and ethanoic acid.

What are the products of the reaction between ethanoic acid and magnesium metal?

The reaction between ethanoic acid and magnesium metal produces magnesium ethanoate and hydrogen gas.

What occurs when ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid?

When ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, an ester (ethyl ethanoate) is formed, and the contents of the test tube acquire a fruity smell.

What role does sulfuric acid play in the reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol?

Sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst in the reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol, speeding up the formation of the ester (ethyl ethanoate).