Give chemical tests to distinguish between : methyl acetate and ethyl acetate.

Answer

To distinguish between methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) and ethyl acetate (CH3COOCH2CH3), we can use a chemical test involving hydrolysis followed by the iodoform test. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Hydrolysis of the Esters
1. **React each ester with sodium hydroxide (NaOH)**:
- For ethyl acetate:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOCH}_2\text{CH}_3 + \text{NaOH} \xrightarrow{\text{boiling}} \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \]
- For methyl acetate:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOCH}_3 + \text{NaOH} \xrightarrow{\text{boiling}} \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \]

### Step 2: Iodoform Test
2. **Perform the iodoform test on the alcohols produced**:
- The alcohol produced from ethyl acetate is ethanol (CH3CH2OH), which can give a positive iodoform test:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + 4\text{I}_2 + 6\text{NaOH} \xrightarrow{\text{heating}} \text{CHI}_3 + 5\text{NaI} + \text{C}\text{O}\text{O}\text{Na} + 5\text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- This reaction results in the formation of a yellow precipitate (iodoform), indicating a positive test.

- The alcohol produced from methyl acetate is methanol (CH3OH), which does not give a positive iodoform test:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{OH} + \text{I}_2 + \text{NaOH} \xrightarrow{\text{heating}} \text{No precipitate} \]

### Conclusion
3. **Interpret the results**:
- If a yellow precipitate (iodoform) is formed, the sample is ethyl acetate.
- If no precipitate is formed, the sample is methyl acetate.

### Summary
- **Ethyl acetate** gives a positive iodoform test (yellow precipitate).
- **Methyl acetate** gives a negative iodoform test (no precipitate).