Module 2

Lesson 1.16  Drawing the Esters



Key Concepts


Recall from Lesson 1.13 that esters are organic molecules with the following general formula:


 
Fig. 1  general formula 

 

R is the branch from the carboxylic acid.

R' is the branch from the alcohol.


When drawing esters from an IUPAC name, follow the steps below.

  1. The second word in the IUPAC name identifies the R group. Draw this group first, keeping in mind that the last carbon atom forms a double bond with an oxygen atom and a single bond with another oxygen atom.
  2. The first word of the ester's name identifies the R' group. Attach this group to the bond that ordinarily holds the "H" atom of the carboxyl group.


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Check Your Understanding


Draw the following esters.

  1. ethyl methanoate
  2. ethyl benzoate
  3. methyl butanoate

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