Clove oil is used as an olfactory indicator. If its smell persists in solution X but fades in solution Y, what can be inferred about the nature of the two solutions?
Solution X is acidic and solution Y is basic.
An olfactory indicator changes its characteristic smell when placed in an acid or a base, letting us judge the nature of a solution by nose alone.
Clove oil owes its aroma to eugenol; in a basic medium the base reacts with eugenol to form a non-volatile salt, so the smell fades.
In an acidic medium eugenol stays intact and volatile, so the clove aroma is retained.
Solution X keeps the smell, so it must be acidic; solution Y loses the smell, so it must be basic.
Hence, solution X is acidic and solution Y is basic.
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