Question

A sweet – smelling organic composed $(X)$ having the molecular formula ${{C}_{3}}{{H}_{10}}{{O}_{2}}$ on treatment with sodium hydroxide $(NaOH)$ gives a sodium salt of a carboxylic acid, which upon acidification gives $2-$ methyl propanoic acid and an alcohol $(Y)$ . Intake of alcohol $(Y)$ in very small quantities can cause blindness and finally death. Alcohol $(Y)$ upon complete oxidation gives a carboxylic acid $(Z)$ , which is found in red ants.
A.Write the structural formula and chemical name of the organic compound $(X)$
B.What is the name of alcohol $(Y)$ ?
C.Name the carboxylic acid $(Z)$ , which is found in red ants.
D.Which functional group is present in the compound, which is formed upon the oxidation of alcohol $(Y)$ in the liver?
E.Write a balanced chemical equation when the organic compound $(X)$ is combined with sodium hydroxide $(NaOH)$ solution.

Answer 1

In this question, using dilute alkali, hydrolysis takes place. This reaction is irreversible and we can separate the products easily. When the compound $(X)$ reacts with sodium hydroxide, it gives sodium salt of carboxylic acid.

Complete answer:
A.The chemical name of compound $(X)$ is ethyl propanoate and the structural formula is ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}COO{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}$
When ethyl propanoate reacts to sodium hydroxide, it results in the formation of sodium propanoate and ethanol. On acidification of sodium propanoate and ethanol, we get $2-$ methyl propanoic acid and methanol
B.The name of alcohol $(Y)$ is methanol, which is formed by the acidification of sodium propanoate and ethanol. The chemical formula of methanol is $C{{H}_{3}}COOH$
C.Upon oxidation of ethanol, we get methanoic acid. Methanoic acid is also present in red ants. It is used as a defense mechanism. The ant contracts its poison gland, it stores methanoic acid in this gland that passes in the sting and is propelled out in jets. Methanoic acid is a planar molecule which is miscible in water. It consists of hydrogen bond dimer in gaseous phase. Therefore, the name of carboxylic acid $(Z)$ is methanoic acid.
D.Carboxylic group consists of carbonyl group and hydroxyl group that have carbon oxygen double bond and also the $OH$ group that is attached to the same carbon.
E.Now let us see the balanced chemical equation between the organic compound $(X)$ , that is, ethyl propanoate and sodium hydroxide $(NaOH)$ solution.
${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}COO{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}+NaOH\to {{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}COONa+{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}OH$

Note: When the methanol is consumed, it gets oxidized into methanol in the liver that reacts rapidly with the components of the cell. Coagulation of protoplasm takes place, which can affect the optic nerve and cause blindness.
-Like all esters, ethyl propanoate has a sweet fruit – like smell. Esters exhibit weak intermolecular force of attraction. Therefore, the molecules of esters enter the gas phase and reach out your nose.