Esters, Fats and Oils Flashcards
An eater can be identified by the presence of?
Ester link
What does the ester link look like?
Dash o dash c double bond o dash
Name where each part of the esters name is derived from
Parent alcohol yl
Parent carboxylic acid oate
Esters have characteristic smells and are often used as?
Flavourings
Esters are also used as?
Industrial solvents
Esters can be made by reacting?
Alcohols with carboxylic acids
Ester formation and esterification are examples of what type of reaction?
Condensation
When is the Ester link formed? What is eliminated?
Ester link is formed when the hydroxyl group of the alcohol reacts with the carboxylic group of the acid. This eliminates a small molecule of water in the process.
What can esters be broken down to? And what is the process called?
Esters can be broken down into the parent alcohol and parent carboxylic acid. The Ester is hydrolysed.
What happens during hydrolysis?
A molecule breaks down to two smaller molecules by reacting with water
Name two naturally occurring esters
Fats and oils
What is the lower melting point of oils related to?
The degree of unsaturation in the fatty acid molecules
Why do oils have low melting points?
Molecules in oils can’t pack as close together as those in fats. This leads to weaker intermolecular attractions
Why are fats and oils an essential part of our diet?
Provide a concentrated energy source and transport for fat soluble vitamins in our body
What is the structural name for glycerol?
Propane-1,2,3-triol
