Esters

Question 1

What is an ester?

Answer 1

An ester is an organic compound that has a carbonyl group connected to another oxygen which is connected to a carbon atom/chain. RO-C=O

Question 2

What are the properties of an ester?

Answer 2

An ester is less polar than a carboxylic acid.

An ester is less soluble(no hydrogen bonds)

An ester has a lower boiling point than carboxylic acid.

An ester has similar melting and boiling points to its corresponding aldehyde and ketone

Small esters are a gas at room temperature

Large esters are a waxy solid at room temperature

Question 3

The reactions of esters

Answer 3

Esterification (a type of condensation reaction)

Hydrolysis

Question 4

Esterification reaction

Answer 4

Acid + alcohol + catalyst = Ester + water

Question 5

Hydrolysis reaction

Answer 5

Hydrolysis is the opposite of esterification and requires a base or acid.

Ester + metal/non-metal + OH = Alcohol + Acid + metal/non-metal

Question 6

How to name an ester?

Answer 6

1- identify alcohol portion (substituent part)
2- identify carboxylic portion (parent chain)
5- remove “-oic” add “-oate”