Solutions1840-1850
1. The water type
Laurent considered ethanol and ethyl ether to be derivatives of water. Write the formulas of the three compounds and state what has been replaced.
Water: H–O–H. Ethanol: CH3CH2–O–H (one hydrogen replaced by an ethyl group). Ethyl ether: CH3CH2–O–CH2CH3 (both hydrogens replaced by ethyl groups).
2. From methyl cyanide to acetic acid
Kolbe and Frankland obtained acetic acid from methyl cyanide, CH3CN. What did they conclude about the structure of acetic acid?
That acetic acid, CH3COOH, contains a methyl group (CH3), the same one present in methyl cyanide.