5.4.3 - Esters

Question 1

What are esters and how do they form !?

Answer 1

Esters are a family of organic molecule, which form when a carboxylic acid, and an alcohol join together by losing an H2O molecule

Question 2

What is the ester functional group !?

Answer 2

(-COO-)

Question 3

Where does the ester functional group sit !?

Answer 3

The ester functional group sits between two carbon chains joining them together

Question 4

Word equation for forming an ester:

Answer 4

Carboxylic➕Alcohol➡️ester➕water
Acid

Question 5

Example of forming an ester:

(ethanoic acid ➕ ethanol)

Answer 5

The ester formed is called ethyl ethanoate

Question 6

What is the process of making an ester sometimes called !?

Answer 6

.Sometimes this reaction is called condensation because of the production of water vapour

(other times. We just call it esterification because it makes an ester)

Question 7

First step to prepare an ester !?

Answer 7

1. mix the carboxylic acid and alcohol together.

Question 8

Second step to preparing an ester !?

Answer 8

2. Add a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid.

(This acts as a catalyst for the reaction.)

Question 9

Third step to preparing an ester !?

Answer 9

3. warm it for a while

Question 10

Fourth step to preparing an ester !?

Answer 10

4. Tip the mixture into sodium carbonate solution.

(This neutralises the sulphuric acid catalyst, which is otherwise really corrosive)

The reaction produces CO2 gas so you wait until the fizzing has stopped

Question 11

What makes esters suitable for use in food flavourings and perfumes !?

Answer 11

. Esters are volatile compounds with distinctive smells.

Question 12

How to choose the correct carboxylic acid and alcohol to make a particular ester:

Answer 12

To choose the correct carboxylic acid and alcohol to make a particular Ester, draw it out and split it down the middle where the oxygen atom is in line with the carbon chain