Why is it necessary to use acetic acid a...

Why is it necessary to use acetic acid and not suplhuric acid for the acidification of sodium extract for testing suplhur by lead acetate test?

Text Solution

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For testing sulphur, the sodium extract is acidified with acetic acid because lead acetate is soluble and does not interefere with the test. However, if HCl is used, lead acetate will react with it forming white precipitate of lead chloride and therefore, it will interfere with the test.
`underset("Lead acetate") ((CH_3 COO)_2) Pb + 2HCI to 2 CH_3 underset("White ppt.) ( COOH + Pb CI_2)`

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Acetic acid and not sulphuric acid is essential for acidification of sodium extract for testing sulphur by lead acetate test because

sulphuric acid is stronger acid

lead acetate is oxidized by sulphuric acid

sulphuric acid is expensive

lead acetate will react with `H_(2)SO_` to form white ppt. of lead sulphate which will interfere with the test

Acetic acid can be used

For curing meat and fish

As vinegar in cooking

In the preparation of perfumes

All

Acetic acid can be used for the preparation of

Ethane

Methane

Acetone

Ethanol