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

6193 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

3-methyl pent 2 ene reacts with HBr to form two products. Which of these products is the minor and major product and why?


Why does AlCl3 form the dimer Al2Cl6?


How do London Forces/Van der Waal's forces arise?


Describe how to perform a flame test to identify an unknown compound.


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