Question
Differentiate between n-pentanol and pentanoic acid.
Solution
Pentanoic acid evolves CO2 gas on reaction with NaHCO3. n-pentanol does not react with NaHCO3.
CH3CH2CH2CH2COOH +NaHCO3 --> CH3CH2CH2CH2COONa +CO2 + H2O
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2OH +NaHCO3 --> No reaction
CH3CH2CH2CH2COOH +NaHCO3 --> CH3CH2CH2CH2COONa +CO2 + H2O
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2OH +NaHCO3 --> No reaction