Question

The structural formula of an ester is :

Write the formula of the acid and the alcohol from which it is formed.

Answer 1

he structural formula of the ester corresponds to the compound ethylethanoate (CH₃COOC₂H₅). Esters are sweet smelling substances which are formed when an alcohol reacts with carboxylic acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid.
(a) The formula of the ethanoic acid is CH₃COOH.
(b) The formula of the alcohol (ethanol) is CH₃-CH₂-OH.
The chemical equation showing the reactants and the products is as follows:

`CH_3 COOH + CH_3 CH_2 OH`  `CH_3 COOCH_2 CH_3 + H_2 O`