# A student has a mixture containing two organic compounds: ethanol and ethanoic acid. The student wants to identify each compound using simple chemical tests. Describe the chemical tests the student could carry out to identify ethanol and ethanoic acid, stating the reagents used and the positive result for each test.

> Eduqas A-Level Chemistry — 4.8 Organic synthesis and analysis · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Test for ethanoic acid: add sodium carbonate (or sodium hydrogencarbonate) solution
2. Positive result for ethanoic acid test: effervescence / bubbles of gas produced (carbon dioxide given off)
3. Test for ethanol: add acidified potassium dichromate(VI) (orange solution)
4. Positive result for ethanol: orange solution turns green
5. Ethanoic acid turns damp blue litmus paper / universal indicator red / has pH less than 7 (acidic), OR ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of a catalyst (sulfuric acid) to form a sweet-smelling ester, identifying it as a carboxylic acid

## Key terms

- [ethanol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ethanol)
- [ethanoic acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ethanoic-acid)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Chemistry](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-has-a-mixture-containing-badcb3b9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.