Question

An organic compound (X) undergoes acid hydrolysis to form two compound (Y) and (Z). The compound (Y) reacts with sodium carbonate to form (A) which when heated with soda lime forms (B) which is `CH_(4)`. The compounds (Y) on reduction with `LiAIH_(4)` forms (Z.) Identify X,Y,Z,A,B and write the reactions involved.

Answer 1

Since the compound B `(CH_(4))` is formed upon heating (A) with soda lime, the compound (A) is sodium salt of ethanoic acid and the compound (Y) is ethanoic acid. As the compound (Y) upon reduction `LiAIH_(4)` forms compound (Z), this ments that Z is an alcohol ehtanol. Since both Y and Z have been formed from X upon acid hydrolysis, this impiles that X is an ester. It is ethyl ethanoate. The series of reactions involved are :