You are given two unlabelled test tubes containing Benzoic acid and Ethyl benzoate. Which specific c — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
You are given two unlabelled test tubes containing Benzoic acid and Ethyl benzoate. Which specific chemical test would instantly distinguish between the two?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
Benzoic acid, being a true carboxylic acid (more acidic than carbonic acid), will react with aqueous Sodium Bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$) to release brisk effervescence of $CO_2$ gas. Ethyl benzoate (an ester) has no acidic proton and will not react with $NaHCO_3$.
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