Reactions And Uses Of Esters Flashcards
What does base hydrolysis split and ester into?
A carboxylate ion and an alcohol
What does acid hydrolysis split an ester into?
A carboxylic acid and an alcohol
What are fats and oils esters of?
Glycerol and fatty acids
Why are fats solid at room temperature?
Fats have mainly saturated hydrocarbon chains meaning they fit neatly together. This increases the van der Waals forces between them.
Why are oils liquid at room temperature?
Oils have unsaturated hydrocarbon chains meaning they don’t fit neatly together. This decreases the effect of vans De Waals forces.
How can you hydrolyse a fat/oil? And what is formed?
Heat them with sodium hydroxide and an alcohol(glycerol) and a carboxylate ion(sodium salt) is formed.
How do you make biodiesel from a fat/oil
Heat them with methanol using a strong alkali(Sodium hydroxide) as a catalyst.
What is formed when making biodiesel?
Glycerol and methyl esters
