Module 2

Lesson 2.5  Esterification Reactions



Key Concepts


Esters can be synthesized in laboratories by reacting an alcohol with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst. Because water is formed as a product, this type of reaction is referred to as a condensation reaction.

Below is the reaction between methanoic acid and ethanol to form ethyl methanoate and water.


Fig. 1

 Refer to the bottom of page 438 in the textbook.

Virtual Investigation

Learning Tip

If you are provided with the names of the reactants in an esterification reaction, you should be able to identify the ester that will be formed. Conversely, given an ester's name,  you should be able to identify the alcohol and the carboxylic acid that were used in its synthesis. 

Example 1

When propanoic acid is reacted with ethanol, ethyl propanoate will be synthesized.

Example 2

Methyl ethanoate can be synthesized by the reaction of methanol with ethanoic acid.



Check Your Understanding


Complete Practice questions 3a, 3b, 3c, and 5 on page 441 of the textbook.

Check your work by clicking on the link below.

Page 441 Practice Question 3

(a)


(b)



(c)




Page 441 Practice Question 5
  1. As shown in Table 2 on page 439, the ester is pentyl butanoate. The acid required is butanoic acid and the alcohol needed is pentan-1-ol.

  2. As shown in the same table, the ester is octyl ethanoate. The acid required is ethanoic acid and the alcohol needed is octan-1-ol.