Question

Identify the product B in the following reaction
\[ {CH3COOH + C2H5OH →[H^+][-H2O] A →[H2/Ni] B} \]

• A. Ethanol
• B. Ethanol and propionic acid
• C. Ethanol and propanol
• D. Ethanol and ethanoic acid

Hint:

Esters on catalytic hydrogenation are reduced to corresponding alcohols.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify compound A.
Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of acid catalyst to form an ester (ethyl ethanoate) by esterification with elimination of water.
\[ {CH3COOH + C2H5OH → CH3COOC2H5 + H2O} \]
Step 2: Reduction of ester.
On catalytic hydrogenation of ethyl ethanoate using ${H2/Ni}$, the ester is reduced to alcohols.
Step 3: Identify product B.
Ethyl ethanoate on reduction gives ethanol as the final product.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The product B formed in the given reaction is ethanol.