Esters

CSEC Chemistry - Reactions of Carbon Compounds

Functional group for esters

COO

General formula for ester homologous series

CnH2n+1COOCxH2x+1

carboxylic acid + alcohol --> (conc. H2SO4, heat above arrow)

ester + water

What type of reaction is ester formation?

Condensation reaction (also called a dehydration reaction)

What are the reaction conditions required for esterification?

Concentration H2SO4, heat

Why is concentrated H2SO4 needed?

1) It acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction

2) It is a powerful dehydrating agent, removing water produced during the reaction thus favouring the forward reaction and increasing the yield of ester produced.

T or F. Esterification is a reversible process.

T

How is the formula for an ester written?

acid part first, alcohol part second

How is the formula for an ester written?

acid part first, alcohol part second

How is the name of an ester written?

Alcohol part first ending with 'yl' and acid part second ending with 'anoate'.

Ethanoic acid + ethanol --> (conc. H2SO4, heat above arrow)

ethyl ethanoate + water

CH3COOH (l) + C2H5OH (l) --> (conc. H2SO4, heat above arrow)

CH3COOC2H5 (l) + H20 (l)

Name CH3COOC2H5

ethyl ethanoate

CH3COOC3H7

propyl ethanoate

C2H5COOCH3

methyl propanoate

butyl methanoate

HCOOC4H9

ethyl butanoate

C3H7COOC2H5