Esters

Esters

*General formula : R-COO-R

*Functional group: ester group ( -COO-)

Making ethyl ethanoate

>> starting material : ethanol and Ethanioc acid
>> catalyst : concentrated sulfuric acid
>> condition : heat

Heating a mixture of ethanol and ethanoic acid with a few drops of

concentrated sulfuric acid forms ethyl ethanoate

*CH3COOH + CH3CH2OH = CH3COOH2CH + H2O*

<< Ethanioc acid + Ethanol = ethyl ethanoate + water >>

>> The sulfuric acid is not included in the equation because it is a catalyst
* reaction is called esterification
* can also be called as condensation because H2O is made when 2 molecules
are joined together

>> the reaction is reversible

* so the yield of ethyl ethanoate is maximized
>> pure ethanol and ethanoic acid is use
How to draw esters

1. Draw the alcohol and acid side to side

2. Remove H2O ( remove the H from alcohol and remove an OH from
the acid

Remove

3. Connect the remaining of the acid and alcohol

>> esters are formed using Carboxylic acid and alcohol

* the ‘yl’ part of the ester tells u abt the alcohol

* the oate part tells us abt he Carboxylic acid part
 Ethyl ethanoate. Ethyl propanoate Propyl methanoate

Alcohol Ethanol Ethanol Propanol

used

Carboxylic
acid used Ethanoic acid Propanioc acid Methanioc acid

Uses of esters :
>> food flavoring
>> perfumes
 Synthetic polymers
Polymerization

1. Addition
2. Condensation