Q. An organic compound is boiled with alcoholic potash. The product is cooled and acidified with $\ HCl$. A white solid separates out. The starting compound may be
A) Ethyl benzoate
B) Ethyl formate
C) Ethyl acetate
D) Methyl acetate
Explanation
(a)
The reaction occurs as follows
$C_{6}H_{5}COOC_{2}H_{5} + KOH\overset{\ \ \ \ \mathrm{\Delta}\ \ \ \ }{\rightarrow}C_{6}H_{5}COOK + C_{2}H_{5}OH$
ethyl benzoate
$C_{6}H_{5}COOK + HCl \rightarrow C_{6}H_{5}COOH + KCl$
white solid
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.