Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ether

In the given reaction, ethanol and ethanoic acid react in the presence of a strong acid catalyst (usually concentrated sulphuric acid) to form an ester, ethyl ethanoate. This reaction is an example of an esterification reaction.

The reaction involves the breaking of the O-H bond in the ethanol molecule and the O-H bond in the carboxylic acid molecule. The hydrogen from the -OH group of the ethanol combines with the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the carboxylic acid, leading to the formation of a water molecule. The remaining carbon-oxygen bond in both the ethanol and the carboxylic acid forms the ester linkage (-COO-) of the ester product.

Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.

Option A is incorrect because reduction involves gaining electrons, which is not happening to the alcohol (ethanol) during the formation of ethyl ethanoate. 

Option B is incorrect because the reaction does not involve breaking the O-H bond in ethanoic acid. Instead, the carbonyl group (C=O) in ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol. 

In the given reaction, ethanol and ethanoic acid react in the presence of a strong acid catalyst (usually concentrated sulphuric acid) to form an ester, ethyl ethanoate. This reaction is an example of an esterification reaction.

The reaction involves the breaking of the O-H bond in the ethanol molecule and the O-H bond in the carboxylic acid molecule. The hydrogen from the -OH group of the ethanol combines with the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the carboxylic acid, leading to the formation of a water molecule. The remaining carbon-oxygen bond in both the ethanol and the carboxylic acid forms the ester linkage (-COO^-) of the ester product.

Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.

Option D is incorrect because the acid (ethanoic acid) is not being oxidized; it is participating in the reaction as a reactant and not undergoing any change in oxidation state.