Module 2

Lesson 1.15 Naming the Esters



Key Concepts


When naming esters, keep in mind that the ester is named opposite to the way it is drawn.

  1. The name has two parts. The first part is an alkyl name given to the carbon chain that is attached to the single bonded oxygen atom.
  2. The second part represents the carbon chain that contains the carbonyl group. This chain is given the corresponding alkane name; however, the "e" is dropped and "oate" is added.

    Examples of Esters


    		ethyl heptanoate
    (grape-like aroma)


    		ethyl butanoate
    (banana-like aroma)
     

    		 propyl ethanoate
    (pear-like aroma)

    Watch



    Check Your Understanding


    Complete Practice Question 4 on page 441 of the textbook.

    Check your work by clicking on the link below.

    Page 441 Practice Question 4
    1. ethyl propanoate (from propanoic acid and ethanol)
    2. methyl butanoate (from butanoic acid and methanol)
    3. butyl methanoate (from methanoic acid and butan-1-ol)
    4. propyl ethanoate   (from ethanoic acid and propan-1-ol)

    If you had the two fragments backwards when you named the esters in this question (such as propyl ethanoate for a) above), try writing the full structural formula for each - it will help you get the name right!