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

6149 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What affects the boiling point of an alkane and why?


What is the trend in ionization energy across period 3 in the periodic table?


The enthalpy of combustion of ethanol is −1371 kJ mol−1 . The density of ethanol is 0.789 g cm−3 . Calculate the heat energy released in kJ when 1 dm3 of ethanol is burned.


Calculate the mass in grams of Iron (III) Chloride in a solution of 500 cm^3 which has a concentration of 0.200 mol/dm^3


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