Is it true that $NaHC O_{3}$ test is used to distinguish between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

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True

False

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

The above statement is true.
Sodium bicarbonate is the best method for separating carboxylic acid from alcohol because even phenol does not react. The reaction between sodium bicarbonate and carboxylic acid produces sodium acetate and a quick carbon dioxide fizz. Whenever carboxylic acid is present, effervescence is observed.

RCOOH + NaH {CO}_{3} \to RCOONa + H_{2} O + C O_{2} ↑

Therefore, the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and carboxylic acid will produce brisk effervescence due to the liberation of carbon dioxide while no such observation is made in the case of alcohols. In this test, the difference between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol can be determined.

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