Esters

• What is the key feature of esters?

  They have a COO group
• What is the functional group of esters called?

  COO group
• How are the smells of esters typically described?

  As sweet or fruity
• What does it mean for esters to be volatile?

  They evaporate easily
• In what products are esters commonly found?

  Perfumes and food flavorings
• What two substances are needed to make an ester?

  A carboxylic acid and an alcohol
• What is the name of the ester made from ethanoic acid and ethanol?

  Ethyl ethanoate
• What is the role of the acid catalyst in ester formation?

  To speed up the reaction
• What acid is commonly used as a catalyst in ester formation?

  Concentrated sulfuric acid
• What happens to the carboxylic acid during ester formation?

  It loses its OH group
• What does the alcohol lose during the ester formation reaction?

  Hydrogen from its OH group
• What is formed as a byproduct of the ester formation reaction?

  A water molecule
• What is another name for the COO group in esters?

  Esther link
• What are the main characteristics of esters?

  • COO functional group
  • Pleasant smells (sweet or fruity)
  • Volatile (evaporate easily)
  • Commonly found in perfumes and food flavorings
• What is the process of making an ester?

  1. Combine a carboxylic acid and an alcohol
  2. Use an acid catalyst (e.g., concentrated sulfuric acid)
  3. OH group from acid and H from alcohol combine to form water
  4. Resulting compound is the ester