Experiment 13: Synthesis of Esters Via Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution
Experiment 13: Synthesis of Esters Via Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution
propanoic acid
Esters
• Synthesis of esters are usually carried out via a reversible nucleophilic
acyl substitution of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. The reactions is
usually catalyzed by a small amount of concentrated strong acid such
as HCl or H2SO4.
Uses
• Esters are responsible for the aroma or flavor of almost any fruit.
These organic compounds can be either natural or synthetic.
Synthetic esters are usually added to food or beverages to enhance its
flavor.
synthecic
Uses
• Esters are polar, but lacking of essential hydrogen attached to oxygen,
therefore cannot form strong hydrogen bonds to each other.
lqidui iwll vaporze but will condense back to reaction; usually volatile and reactants basta liquid
Experimental Results
General Experimental Procedure
• Synthesis of each esters are done under REFLUX SET-UP.
• Mix the reactants in a 25-mL round-bottom flask, then add boiling
chips (should not be calcium carbonate).
• Solid NaHCO3 – to neutralize the excess acid. This is preferred over NaOH
since the effervescence would signal if neutralization is complete.