Esther’s, fats and oils Flashcards
How are esters formed?
By reacting an alcohol with a carboxylic acid
What is the reaction of an alcohol and carboxylic acid known as?
A condensation reaction since the reactants join together by eliminating water
How do you name an ester?
(Name of alcohol)-yl (acid name)-oate
What would the name of the ester which combines ethanol and propanoic acid be?
Ethyl propanoate
What are the 2 main uses of esters?
- to create scented products such as perfumes and deodorant
- as solvents (they have relatively low boiling points so evaporate easily)
What are 2 everyday products esters are found in?
Nail varnish and spray paint
What’s it called when an ester reacts with water to break down and form an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?
Ester Hydrolysis
What reacts to make fats and oils?
Glycerol (an alcohol) and 3 fatty acid molecules
What is the product ester, fat or oil called when glycerol forms 3 ester links with fatty acid molecules?
Triglyceride (due to the 3 ester links)
At room temperature fats are…
Solid
At room temperature oils are…
Liquid
Fats are formed from_________ fatty acids
Saturated (single carbon to carbon bonds)
Oils are formed from ____________ fatty acids
Unsaturated (double carbon to carbon bonds)
Why are fats solid at room temperature?
As they are saturated the fat molecules have an even, regular structure which allows them to pack closely together. The efficient packing increases the number of van der waals attractions, making the attraction between fat molecules greater than. The attraction between oil molecules meaning they are able to be solids at room temperature.
Why are oils liquids at room temperature?
In oils, the double bond causes the molecules to have an uneven distorted structure which makes it difficult for them to pack together closely. This results in fewer van der waals attractions between oil molecules causing oils to have a lower melting point than fats.
