Describe how you could distinguish between ethanol, ethanoic acid, ethyl bromide and 2-methylpropan-1-ol.

First, you should add sodium hydrogen carbonate to all three compounds. Ethanoic acid will react with this to release a gas which will turn limewater cloudy.
Second, you should add acidified potassium dichromate. With ethanol, because it is a primary alcohol, the orange solution will turn to green. With 2-methylpropan-1-ol there will be no colour change because it is a tertiary alcohol.
Finally, the distinguish which solution is ethyl bromide you should add silver nitrate. A cream precipitate will be formed.

EW
Answered by Emma W. Chemistry tutor

6201 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Consider the transition metal complex [CoCl3(CO)3]. What is a) The oxidation state of the metal centre. b) The dn configuration of the metal centre. c) The co-ordination number of the metal centre.


Explain the difference between homolytic fission and heterolytic fission.


Flask Q (volume = 1.00 x 103 cm3 ) is filled with ammonia (NH3) at 102 kPa and 300 K. Calculate the mass of ammonia in flask Q. (Gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1 )


Explain Le Chatelier's Principle and the factors that affect the position of equilibrium


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning