Chemistry · Science General

Alcohols, Ethers and Carboxylic Acids

359 Questions

Alcohols, ethers, and carboxylic acids questions explore organic chemistry reactions, chemical formulas, and compound identifications. The topics cover practical applications like antifreeze production and specific chemical conversions. This material helps candidates preparing for science oriented competitive exams.

Organic reactionsChemical compounds identificationAlcohol conversionCarboxylic acid propertiesIndustrial chemical applications

Alcohols, Ethers and Carboxylic Acids Questions

Multiple choice

Assertion: Addition of H2O to acetylene occurs in presence of dil. H2SO4 and HgSO4 to give acetaldehyde. Reason: It is an example of electrophilic addition reaction.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

  2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

  3. A is true but R is false.

  4. A is false but R is true.

  5. Both A and R are false.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This option is correct, because Hg+2 ion being an electrophile first complexes with the π-electrons of the triple bond and then nucleophile attack of H2O occurs.

Multiple choice

Which of these is used as a denaturant for drinking alcohol?

  1. Butanol

  2. Methanol

  3. Biomass

  4. Benzene

  5. Mercury
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). At room temperature, it is a polar liquid, and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol.

Multiple choice

Calcium acetate + Calcium benzoate gives

  1. benzophenone

  2. benzaldehyde

  3. acetophenone

  4. phenyl benzoate

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When calcium salts of two different carboxylic acids are heated together (dry distillation), they form a mixed ketone. Calcium acetate provides CH3CO- and calcium benzoate provides C6H5CO-, giving acetophenone (CH3-CO-C6H5). This is a ketonic synthesis reaction.

Multiple choice

Reaction of alcohol with carboxylic acid is known as _____.

  1. Substitution reaction

  2. Addition reaction

  3. Esterification

  4. Hydrogenation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Reaction of alcohol with carboxylic acid is known as esterification (option C). Esterification produces an ester and water, catalyzed by acid. This is how fragrances, flavors, and many industrially important compounds are made. Substitution replaces one group, addition adds to a double bond, and hydrogenation adds hydrogen.

Multiple choice

What is the functional group of alcohols?

  1. -O

  2. -OH

  3. -CHO

  4. -COOH
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The hydroxyl group (-OH) is the defining functional group of alcohols. This group consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, which gives alcohols their characteristic properties like solubility in water and ability to form hydrogen bonds.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major constituent of beer and wine?

  1. formic acid

  2. methyl alcohol

  3. acetic acid

  4. ethyl alcohol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is the primary alcoholic component produced during fermentation in both beer and wine. Methyl alcohol is toxic and appears only in trace amounts, while formic and acetic acids are not major fermentation products.

Multiple choice

Novolak resin is formed

  1. by the condensation of hexamethylenediamine and 1, 10 decandioic acid

  2. when isocyanate reacts with alcohol

  3. by heating excess of phenol with formaldehydes (P/F ratio nearly 1.25) in the presence of acid catalyst

  4. by the interaction of phenol with excess formaldehydes (P/F ratio nearly 0.8)

  5. when urea is heated at 300oC and 100 atmospheric pressure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This option is correct because when excess of phenol is heated with formaldehydes (P/F ratio nearly 1.25) in the presence of the acid catalyst, novolak resin is formed.

Multiple choice

The BEST agent used for fixation of Pap smear is

  1. ethyl alcohol

  2. acetone

  3. formalin

  4. xylol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ethyl alcohol (95% ethanol) is the standard fixative for Pap smears. It rapidly fixes cells, preserves cellular morphology, and prevents artifact formation. The smear should be immersed in alcohol immediately after collection or sprayed with fixative. Acetone is a dehydrant but not ideal for cytology. Formalin causes shrinkage artifacts. Xylol is a clearing agent used in histology processing, not for cytology fixation.

Multiple choice

Methanol is prepared industrially by

  1. catalytic reduction of carbon monoxide in the presence of ZnO-Cr2O3

  2. reaction of methane with steam at 900°C with a Ni catalyst

  3. reduction of formaldehyde with lithium aluminium hydride

  4. reaction of formaldehyde with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Methanol is industrially produced by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide (CO + 2H2 → CH3OH) under high pressure and temperature. ZnO-Cr2O3 is the catalyst used. Steam reforming of methane produces syngas (CO + H2), not methanol. LiAlH4 is too expensive for industrial use. Formaldehyde is an oxidation product of methanol, not a precursor.