Esters
Learning Objectives
he grouping of hydrocarbon compounds into families (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, carboxylic acids and non-branched esters) based upon similarities in their physical and chemical properties including general formulas, their representations (structural formulas, condensed formulas, Lewis structures), naming according to IUPAC systematic nomenclature (limited to non-cyclic compounds up to C10, and structural isomers up to C7) and uses based upon properties.
Summary Notes
Esters are commonly found in perfumes (Pixabay License)
What are Esters?
Esters are formed from the combination of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. This is known as a condensation reaction.
Esters often smell sweet and fruity and are used as flavouring and ingredients in perfumes.
To name a ester:
Put the name of the alcohol first then the name of the carboxylic acid second.
Change the end of the alcohol 'anol' to 'yl' and the end of the carboxylic acid 'noic acid' to 'oate.'
So propanol plus methanoic acid would become propyl methanoate.
*To identify the carboxylic acid component of an ester look for where the double bond oxygen is attached to the carbon.
Video to help build your understanding
Condensation Reaction of Esters