Natures Chemistry - Esters, Fats and Oils Flashcards
What is the functional group of an ester?
Ester link (-COO-)
How are esters formed (components and name of reaction)?
By reacting an alcohol with a carboxylic acid (known as esterification or condensation).
What is a condensation reaction?
When two molecules form to make one with an additional small one.
How do you name an ester?
The first part (-yl) comes from the alcohol and the second part (-oate) comes from the carboxylic acid.
What are some uses of esters?
Flavourings, perfumes, solvents.
What is also produced when an ester is formed?
Water
What happens when an ester reacts with water?
The ester breaks down to form alcohol and carboxylic acid. This is known as hydrolysis.
What type of ester are edible fats and oils?
Tri-esters.
What are fats and oils formed from?
Glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol)
What is the difference between fats and oils? (three points)
- Fats are formed from saturated fatty acids while oils are formed from unsaturated fatty acids.
- At room temperature fats are solid while oils are liquid.
- Oils have lower melting points than fats.
What does the efficient packing of fat molecules allow?
The intermolecular forces (LDFs) to hold the fat molecules together much stronger than oil. When heated these break and allow the molecules to separate.
What do the double bonds in oil cause?
It causes the molecules to have an uneven, distorted structure, making it difficult to pack closely together. This results in fewer LDFs and less energy need to break apart the molecules.
What happens to the melting point of oil if you increase the number of double bonds?
It decreases.
Why are fats and oils essential in the diet?
Dissolving and transporting vitamins as well as providing energy.
