Description of experiment
Below follows a plain text transcript of the selected experiment.
Needed compounds:
-----------------
potassium chlorate : KClO3
sulphuric acid : H2SO4
acetic acid : CH3COOH
ethanol : CH3CH2OH
Class:
------
elem=C
ester
redox
Summary:
--------
Ethanol and acetic acid do not form an ester (ethylacetate) when simply
mixed with concentrated sulphuric acid. More extreme conditions are needed
for this reaction to occur.
The acid is diluted too much in order to give a strong reaction with
chlorate, combined with the reducing agent in the form of ethanol.
Description:
------------
Add some concentrated H2SO4 (appr. 95% by weight) to some ethanol (96%): The
liquid becomes very hot. The smell of the ethanol disappears. The liquid
remains clear and colorless.
Let liquid cool down and add some acetic acid (80% by weight): At first glance
no reaction occurs. The liquid remains clear and colorless and has a strong
smell of acetic acid.
Add a few small crystals of KClO3: The little crystals go to the bottom of
the test tube and stay there. No visible reaction occurs.