How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?
(a) Acid test: Reaction with carbonates/hydrogen carbonates. Take samples of alcohol and carboxylic acid in 2 test tubes, and add sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate solution to each. The compound which will produce brisk effervescence of CO2 gas will be acid. (b) Alcohol test: Take small amount of ethanol and ethanoic acid in test tube A and B. Add 5% solution of alkaline potassium permanganate drop by drop to this solution and warm the test tube. The colour of potassium permanganate will disappear in test tube containing alcohol.
