Question

An organic compound A with molecular formula C₂H₆O gives compound 'B' on oxidation with alkaline KMnO₄. 'A' an heating with conc. H₂SO₄ gives 'C' which on reaction with phosphoric acid and water gives back 'A' Compound 'C' gives addition product with Br₂ and H₂. Identify A, B, C and write chemical equations involved

Answer 1

Since C gives an addition reaction with Br₂ and H₂ and so it is an unsaturated hydrocarbon. It gives an alcohol with a phosphoric acid and water i.e., CH₃CH₂OH. So C is ethene. Thus, A is ethanol which on oxidation with alkaline KMnO₄ gives ethanoic acid. So we can conclude that A is ethanol, B is ethanoic acid and C is ethene.