Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives - Result Question 66
####52. A liquid $X$, having a molecular formula $C _6 H _{12} O _2$ is hydrolysed with water in the presence of an acid to give a carboxylic acid $Y$ and an alcohol $Z$. Oxidation of $Z$ with chromic acid gives $Y$. What are the structures of $X, Y$ and $Z$ ?
(1986, 3M)
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Solution:
- $X$ is an ester and both its acid and alcohol fragments have same number of carbons. Hence, $X$ is :
$$ \begin{aligned} & \underset{X}{CH _3 CH _2 COOCH _2 CH _2 CH _3} \underset{H _2 O}{H^{+}} \underset{Y}{CH _3 CH _2 COOH} \ & +CH _3 CH _2 CH _2 OH \ & Z \xrightarrow{[O]} CH _3 CH _2 COOH \end{aligned} $$
