Fischer Esterification Theory

Fischer esterification

• a reaction that converts a carboxylic acid into an ester.

what occurs during esterification

• the -OH portion of the carboxylic acid is replaced by an -OR group from an alcohol.

what is the byproduct of esterification and what does it do?

• The byproduct of this reaction is water

• since water is also a nucleophile, it can add back into the compound and hydrolyze the newly formed ester to regenerate the starting carboxylic acid

how to bypass water reforming the carboxylic acid after esterification?

• run the reaction in excess alcohol to drive the reaction towards product

goal of the experiment

• synthesis of methyl benzoate from benzoic acid and methanol (esterification)

  • product will be isolated and analyzed with IR & gas chromatography

experiment reaction

heating block instructions

• There are multiple indentions on the heating block, make sure you use the one that fits the round bottom flask properly.

water and the condenser

• Ensure that you use the metal clips to secure the water hoses on the condenser

• Water goes in at the lower end and out at the higher end

why is only a slow flow of water necessary?

• If the water pressure gets too high the hoses will come off and flood the hood.

what should you do after handling sulfuric acid?

• CHANGE YOU GLOVES IMMEDIATELY AFTER HANDLING SULFURIC ACID!