Question

Question #ed5b4

Answer 1

1) The functional group of the compound A of molecular formula `C_2H_4O_2`, widely used as a preservative in pickles is

-COOH

and the compound is ethanoic acid commonly known as acetic acid having structural formula `CH_3COOH`

2) The chemical equation for the reaction with ethanol `(CH_3CH_2OH)` is as follows. The sweet smelling compound B formed here is an ester named ethyl ethanoate and the reaction occurs in presence of conc. `H_2SO_4`

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3)The Compound A can be reproduced from B by hydrolysis

4) The name of the process is hydrolysis . In this process B is heated with aqueous solution of `NaOHorKOH` and the ethanol produced escapes as volatile matter. As a result a solution of sodium ethanoate is obtained. This solution on heating with . `H_2SO_4` solution gives back the ethanoic acid.

Equations may be written as follows

`CH_3COOCH_2CH_3 +NaOH->CH_3COONa+CH_3CH_2OH`

`CH_3COONa+ H^+ ->CH_3COOH + Na^+`