Question

Ethanol on reaction with alk. $KMn{O}_4$ gives $X$ which when reacted with methanol in the presence of an acid gives a sweet smelling compound $Y,X$ and $Y$ respectively, are

• A. acetaldehyde and acetone
• B. acetic acid and methyl acetate
• C. formic acid and methyl formate
• D. ethylene and ethyl methyl ether

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Ethanol on reaction with alkaline $KMn{O}_4$ gives acetic acid $(X)$, which when reacts with methanol in the presence of an acid gives methyl acetate $(Y)$, which is a sweet smelling compound.
$\underset{\text{Ethanol}}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH}\underset{KMn{O}_4}{\overset{\text{ Alkaline }}{\to }}\underset{\text{Acetic Acid}}{C{H}_{3}COOH(X)}$

Thus, $X$ and $Y$ respectively are acetic acid and methyl acetate.