[tcraw033]

Hi
So I have a question and it says: 
A student wished to synthesize a pineapple smelling compound from butanoic acid and ethanol.  However, he notices a slight apple smell at the end of the reaction.  he then notices that his enthanol bottle is 'denatured'. what could this mean.

So far I am jsut assuming that since the alochol is denatured it is toxic and undrinkable.  This change would alter the scent.  But I have a feeling they are looking for more than that and I am stumped.  Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[tcraw033]

I also have noticed that methyl butyrate has an apple scent and ethyl butyrate has a pineapple scent so im assuming the student formed the methyl butyrate instead but why?

[azmanam]

start here

http://www.google.com/search?q=denatured+alcohol

ask yourself why the ethanol is toxic and undrinkable.

[7453K]

ethanol is often denatured with a very small percentage of methanol. which is poisonous.
1+1=2 methanol + butanoic acid =methyl butyrate