Discussions

There are 4 test that we conduct for the reaction of carboxylic acid. They are solubility test
,esterification acid and base reaction and reaction of Fecl3 with ethanoate and benzoate ions.
Ethanoic and benzoic acid were the sample that being tested. Ethanoic and benzoic acidss solubility
were being tested with water and NaOH. Both acids turned the blue litmus paper to red colour and
ethanoic acid is soluble in water, while benzoic acid is slightly soluble in water. The solubility of
carboxylic acids in water is decreases as the relative molecular mass increases. After that ,both acids
were tested in NaOH. Ethanoic acid is soluble in NaOh, while Benzoic acid is slightly soluble in NaOH.
The carboxylic acids undergo neutralisation reactions with bases to form carboxylate salts and
water. Carboxylate salts that produced through the neutralisation reaction is soluble in water.
The 2
nd
test that we conduct is esterification . Ethanoic acid and benzoic acid produce fruit smell
after heated with an alcohol in the little presence of H2SO4 , an the esther is formed. Besides that,
ethanoic and benzoic acid were tested with Na2CO3. Ethanoic acid is soluble in Na2co3 and produce
bubble gas while benzoic acid is slightly soluble in Na2CO3. Reactions of Na2CO3 can also be used to
distinguish between carboxylic acids with phenol and other organic compounds. Reaction of FeCl3
with ethanoate and benzoate ion is conducted as well. Colourless ethanoic acid became orange after
the addition of FeCl3. Benzoic acid produce white cloudy precipitate when FeCl3 added to the test
tube.

Conclusions
As a conclusion, we can conclude that, ethanoic acid is soluble in water and NaOH solution, while
benzoic acid is slightly soluble in water and NaOH solution. Both ethanoic and benzoic acids produce
esters for the esterificatio process. The esters have fragrant smells.in Na2CO3 ethanoic acid and
benzoic acid is slightly soluble in the solution. The colourless ethanoic acid turned orange when it
reactes with Fecl3 while benzoic acid form white cloudy precipitate when it reacts with FeCl3.