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 property of esters makes them commonly used in perfumes?

  They have pleasant smells
• Why are esters considered 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 formed from ethanoic acid and ethanol?

  Ethyl ethanoate
• What is the role of an 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 can the COO group also be referred to as?

  An ester link
• What is the process of ester formation?

  • Combine a carboxylic acid and an alcohol
  • Use an acid catalyst (e.g., concentrated sulfuric acid)
  • Carboxylic acid loses OH group
  • Alcohol loses H from OH group
  • Water molecule is formed as a byproduct
• What are the properties and uses of esters?

  Properties:

  • Pleasant smells (sweet or fruity)
  • Volatile (evaporate easily)

  
  

  Uses:

  • Commonly found in perfumes
  • Used in food flavorings