Convert Propanoic acid into Ethanoic acid.

Explanation

To convert propanoic acid (C₂H₅COOH) into ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Convert Propanoic Acid to Propanamide
- Start with propanoic acid (C₂H₅COOH).
- Treat it with excess ammonia (NH₃) and heat slightly. This will convert propanoic acid into propanamide (C₂H₅CONH₂).

**Chemical Reaction:**
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{COOH} + \text{NH}_3 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{CONH}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

### Step 2: Perform Hofmann Degradation
- Treat the propanamide with bromine (Br₂) in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH). This is known as the Hofmann degradation reaction.
- This reaction will remove one carbon atom from the propanamide, resulting in the formation of an amine (ethylamine, C₂H₅NH₂).

**Chemical Reaction:**
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{CONH}_2 + \text{Br}_2 + \text{KOH} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{NH}_2 + \text{CO}_2 + \text{KBr} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

### Step 3: Convert to Diazonium Salt
- Next, treat the ethylamine with sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form a diazonium salt.

**Chemical Reaction:**
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{NH}_2 + \text{NaNO}_2 + \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{N}_2^+\text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

### Step 4: Hydrolyze to Alcohol
- Treat the diazonium salt with water (H₂O) to hydrolyze it, resulting in the formation of ethanol (C₂H₅OH).

**Chemical Reaction:**
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{N}_2^+\text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{N}_2 + \text{HCl} \]

### Step 5: Oxidation to Ethanoic Acid
- Finally, oxidize ethanol (C₂H₅OH) using potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) in an acidic medium to yield ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).

**Chemical Reaction:**
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{KMnO}_4 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{MnO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

### Final Product
- The final product after all the above steps is ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).

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