JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3el099
Two freshly prepared white powders X and Y are analgesics. X gives effervescence with aqueous NaHCOX3 but no colour with neutral FeClX3. Y gives no effervescence with NaHCOX3 but a violet colour with neutral FeClX3. The correct identification and reasoning is
AX is aspirin (free -COOH), Y is paracetamol (free phenolic -OH)
BX is paracetamol (amide group), Y is aspirin (free -COOH)
CX is paracetamol (free phenolic -OH), Y is aspirin (ester group)
DX is aspirin (ester group), Y is paracetamol (amide group)
Answer: A
Effervescence with bicarbonate shows a carboxylic acid, present in aspirin. A violet FeCl3 colour shows a free phenolic -OH, present in paracetamol. In fresh aspirin the phenolic -OH is acetylated, so no colour appears.