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Soluble and effervescence is This test distinguishes carboxylic acids from phenols.
REACTION WITH SODIUM observed Carboxylic acid Carboxylic acids turn blue litmus red and react with sodium bicarbonate
BICARBONATE SOLUTION solution and produce effervescence due to the formation of carbon dioxide.
Insoluble and no effervescence is Phenols are weakly acidic,therefore they are soluble in strongly
strongl basic NaOH
2ml 5% NaHCO3 solution + sample observed Phenol solution but they are not soluble in weakly basic sodium bicarbonate
added slowly solution.and do not give efferevescence
TESTS FOR
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ESTERIFICATION TEST Carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol in presence of conc. sulphuric
Sample + 1ml ethanol or methanol + 3 Sweet fruity smell of ester Carboxylic acid confirmed
acid to form ester that is identified by the presence of a fruity
drops conc.H2SO4. Heat gently for 2 smell.
minutes. Cool pour reaction mixture into
a beaker containing sodium carbonate
solution and smell immediately
Phthalein Dye Test Phenols condense with phthalic anhydride in the presence of concentrated
In a clean dry test tube 0.1g sample + Appearance of pink, blue, H2SO4, For example Phenol condeses to give phenolphthalein which gives a
0.1g Phthalic anhydride + 2 drops green,red etc. colours dark pink colour with NaOH solution.
conc.H2SO4. Warm the mixture. Phenol