CHE 2401

EXPERIMENT 1

ESTERIFICATION REACTION:
SYNTHESIS OF n-BUTYL ACETATE

OBJECTIVES
To become acquainted with general procedures used in an organic chemistry
lab experiment
Synthesize an ester from its corresponding acid and alcohol (Fischer esterification)
Relates to chapter 11 of Essential Organic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. .

APPARATUS AND CHEMICALS

CHEMICALS

APPARATUS & MISC

acetic acid (15 mL)

heating mantle, Boy elevator

n-butanol (11.5 mL)

100 mL round-bottomed flask

conc. sulfuric acid (2 mL)

water condenser

10 % sodium hydrogenocarbonate solution (10 mL)

distillation kit

anhydrous sodium sulfate (1 g)

Bchner funnel, filter paper

separating funnel
boiling chips, grease, gloves

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INTRODUCTION

Esters are derived from carboxylic acids. A carboxylic acid contains the -COOH group,
and in an ester the hydrogen in this group is replaced by a hydrocarbon group of some
kind. This could be an alkyl group like methyl or ethyl, or one containing a benzene ring
like phenyl.
Esters are widespread in nature and are widely used in industry, notably for flavourings.
Below are mentioned a few examples:
O

O
H

Ethyl methanoate (ethyl formate)

rum flavouring

Propyl pentanoate (n-propyl n-valerate):

pineapple flavouring

O
O

Ethyl butanoate (ethyl butyrate)

apple odour

Octyl ethanoate (n-octyl acetate)

orange odour

The classic synthesis of esters is the Fischer esterification, which involves treating a
carboxylic acid with an alcohol in the presence of a dehydrating agent:
O

O
R1

OH + R2 OH

R1

R2

+ H2O

Strong acids, typically sulfuric acid, catalyze this reaction. Many other acids are also
used. Esterification is highly reversible. The simple reaction of one equivalent each of
acid and alcohol gives a mixture of starting materials and products. The yield of the
product may be improved using le Chatelier's principle:
using the alcohol in large excess (i.e. as a solvent)

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CHE 2401

using a dehydrating agent. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) not only catalyzes the reaction
but sequesters water (a reaction product)
removal of water by physical means such as an azeotropic distilation with
cyclohexane or toluene.

GENERAL MECHANISM
O
R1

O
+
OH + H

R1

H
OH

carboxylic acid

HO
R1

R2 OH

H
R2 O OH

OH

R1

OH
PT

O
1

R2
-H+

O
1

R2
O H

HO
1

R2
-H2O

H
R2 O O H
R1

OH

OH

ester

REACTION
O
OH
acetic acid

Compound
Acetic acid
n-Butanol
Sulfuric acid, 98 %
n-Butyl acetate

Lab Manual

HO

H2SO4
heat, 1 h

n-butanol

M.W. (g/mol)
60.05
74.12
98.08
116.16

O
O
n-butyl acetate

Density (g/mL)
1.049
0.81
1.84
0.88

b.p (oC)
117-118
116-118
~ 290
124-126

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PROCEDURE

In a 100 mL round-bottom flask, introduce successively acetic acid (15 mL), n-butanol
(11.5 mL) and concentrated sulfuric acid (~ 2 mL). Next, add a few boiling chips and fit a
water condenser lubricated with grease (Figure 1.1). The mixture is refluxed by means of
a heating mantle for 1 hour, time upon which the reaction mixture is transferred into a
separating flask containing 30 mL of water (Figure 1.2). The aqueous layer is isolated
and the organic layer is washed first with a 10 % solution of sodium hydrogenocarbonate
NaHCO3 (1 x 10 mL) and then with water (2 x 10 mL). Then, the organic layer is dried
over anhydrous sodium sulfate Na2SO4 (~ 1 g) and filtered over a Bchner funnel.
Finally, the filtrate is distilled slowly and the boiling point recorded (Figure 1.3). Weigh
the mass of product (n-butyl acetate) obtained.

organic
layer

Figure 1.1

aqueous
layer

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.3

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CHE 2401

Experiment 1
Esterification reaction:
Synthesis of n-butyl acetate
Name(s)
Date

Laboratory Instructor

REPORT SHEET
O
OH

heat, 1 h

acetic acid

Compound
Acetic acid
n-Butanol
n-Butyl acetate

n-butanol

M.W. (g/mol)
60.05
74.12
116.16

H2SO4

HO

Density
(g/mL)
1.049
0.81
0.88

O
n-butyl acetate

volume
(mL)
15.0
11.5
16.6

mass
(g)
15.73
9.31
14.59

n
(mmol)
261.9
125.6
125.6

Mass of product expected: ___________________ g

Mass of product obtained: ___________________ g
Percent chemical yield=

mass product obtained

mass product exp ected

100

___________________ %

QUESTIONS
1) Why do we use a small amount of mineral acid?
2) What is the reactant in excess? Justify your answer.
3) What is the role of sodium hydrogenocarbonate?
4) Write the equation of the chemical reaction and the associated mechanism.
5) What is the role of the distillation?
6) Compare the recorded boiling point with the literature data.
8) Propose another synthetic method for the preparation of n-butyl acetate.

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