A liquid was mixed with ethanol and a drop of concentrated H 2 S O 4 was added, a compound with a fruity smell was formed. The liquid was:

Step-by-step solution

Here esterification reaction is involved to give ethyl acetate which has fruity smell. C H 3 C O O H I + C 2 H 5 O H → H + C H 3 C O O C 2 H 5 I + H 2 O