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Q.CH3CH2CHOCH_3CH_2CHO and CH3CH2COOHCH_3CH_2COOH can be distinguished by : (A) Sodium bicarbonate test (B) Hinsberg test (C) Iodoform test (D) Lucas test

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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Aldehydes and carboxylic acids differ fundamentally in acidity: only the carboxylic acid will react with sodium bicarbonate (a weak base) to liberate CO2CO_2 gas, giving a clear visual distinction.

The question asks us to distinguish between an aldehyde (CH3CH2CHOCH_3CH_2CHO, propanal) and a carboxylic acid (CH3CH2COOHCH_3CH_2COOH, propanoic acid). The key lies in recognizing their different functional groups and the chemical properties that flow from them.

Carboxylic acids are acidic enough to react with weak bases like sodium bicarbonate, while aldehydes are not acidic at all in the Brønsted sense. This difference in acidity is the most straightforward way to tell them apart.

Let me walk through each option:

1. Sodium bicarbonate test

Carboxylic acids contain the −COOH-COOH group, which readily donates a proton. The pKapK_a of propanoic acid is around 4.9, making it acidic enough to react with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3NaHCO_3):

CH3CH2COOH+NaHCO3⟶CH3CH2COONa+H2O+CO2↑CH_3CH_2COOH + NaHCO_3 \longrightarrow CH_3CH_2COONa + H_2O + CO_2 \uparrow

The evolution of CO2CO_2 gas produces effervescence (brisk bubbling), a clear positive test.

Propanal, on the other hand, has no acidic proton. The aldehyde hydrogen is not ionizable, and the α\alpha-hydrogens are far too weakly acidic (pKa∼17pK_a \sim 17) to react with bicarbonate. No reaction occurs, no gas is evolved.

This test cleanly distinguishes the two compounds.

2. Hinsberg test

This test is specific for distinguishing primary, secondary, and tertiary amines using benzenesulfonyl chloride. Neither an aldehyde nor a carboxylic acid will give a meaningful Hinsberg reaction. This test is irrelevant here.

3. Iodoform test

Both compounds contain the CH3CH2−CH_3CH_2- group. The iodoform test is positive for:

  • Methyl ketones (RCOCH3RCOCH_3)
  • Compounds with CH3CH(OH)−CH_3CH(OH)- structure
  • Ethanol and acetaldehyde (special cases) …

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