Question 284 marksSection B

Alcohol forms a homologous series with general formula CnH2n+1−OHC_nH_{2n + 1} - OH and -OH group as functional group. Ethanol is commonly called alcohol and is used in alcoholic drinks. It is good solvent, used in medicines, cough syrups, tonics etc.

(a) Write structural formula and name of 4th member of alcohol homologous series.

(b) What happens when ethanol is heated with alkaline KMnO4KMnO_4? Write chemical equation involved.

(c) Write the chemical equation of reaction of ethanol with ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4. Write the name of this reaction.

OR

(c) What happens when ethanol is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at 443K443 K? Write chemical equation involved. What is the role of concentrated sulphuric acid in this reaction?

Carbon and its Compounds
Alcohols

Official answer

(a) The structural formula of the 4th member of the alcohol homologous series is CH3CH2CH2CH2OHCH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH, and its name is Butan-1-ol.

(b) When ethanol is heated with alkaline KMnO4KMnO_4, it gets oxidized to ethanoic acid. The chemical equation involved is:

CH3CH2OH+2KMnO4→CH3COOH+2MnO2+2KOH+H2OCH_3CH_2OH + 2KMnO_4 \rightarrow CH_3COOH + 2MnO_2 + 2KOH + H_2O

(c) When ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4, it forms ethyl ethanoate. The chemical equation involved is:

CH3CH2OH+CH3COOH→CH3COOCH2CH3+H2OCH_3CH_2OH + CH_3COOH \rightarrow CH_3COOCH_2CH_3 + H_2O

This reaction is known as esterification.

OR

(c) When ethanol is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at 443K443 K, it forms ethene. The chemical equation involved is:

CH3CH2OH→CH2=CH2+H2OCH_3CH_2OH \rightarrow CH_2=CH_2 + H_2O

Concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent in this reaction.

Answer keywords:alcoholhomologous seriesfunctional groupoxidationesterificationdehydration

Marking scheme

  1. 1.(a) Structural formula and name of 4th member (2 marks)
  2. 2.(b) Chemical equation involved in oxidation (1 mark)
  3. 3.(c) Chemical equation involved in esterification or dehydration (1 mark)

Hint

Recall the general formula of alcohols and the reactions involved in the given options.

Quick oral answer

Alcohols are a homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+1−OHC_nH_{2n + 1} - OH. The 4th member of this series is butan-1-ol. When ethanol is heated with alkaline KMnO4KMnO_4, it gets oxidized to ethanoic acid. The reaction of ethanol with ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4 forms ethyl ethanoate. Concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent in the reaction of ethanol to form ethene.

Common mistakes

  1. 1.Incorrect structural formula or name of 4th member
  2. 2.Incorrect chemical equation involved in oxidation or esterification

Analysis and explanation

This question requires the application of knowledge about alcohols, their homologous series, and their chemical reactions. The student needs to understand the general formula of alcohols, the functional group, and the reactions involved.

Interesting facts

Alcohols are used in a variety of applications, including medicines, cough syrups, and tonics.

Concentrated sulphuric acid is a strong dehydrating agent.

Question details

Q28 of 39 questions

Board
CBSE
Class
Class 10
Subject
Science
Year
2026
Section
Section B
Marks
4
Chapter
Carbon and its Compounds
Topic
Alcohols
Bloom's level
Application
Syllabus topic
Homologous Series, Functional Group, Chemical Reactions

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Frequently asked questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?

This question carries 4 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Carbon and its Compounds" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Alcohols" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?

This question appears in Section B in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.