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Chemistry

  • IGCSE Edexcel
  • Revision Notes

4. Organic Chemistry

4.1 Introduction>4.2 Crude Oil>4.3 Alkanes>4.4 Alkenes>4.5 Alcohols>4.6 Carboxylic Acids>4.7 Esters>4.8 Synthetic Polymers>

1.2 Elements, Compounds & Mixtures >1.3 Atomic Structure >1.4 The Periodic Table >1.5 Chemical Formulae, Equations and Calculations >1.6 Ionic Bonding >1.7 Covalent Bonding >1.8 Metallic Bonding >1.9 Electrolysis >

2.1 Group 1 (Alkali Metals) – Lithium, Sodium and Potassium >2.2 Group 7 (Halogens) – Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine >2.3 Gases in the Atmosphere >2.4 Reactivity Series >2.5 Extraction and Uses of Metals >2.6 Acids, Alkalis and Titrations >2.7 Acids, Bases and Salt Preparations >2.8 Chemical Tests >

3.1 Energetics >3.2 Rates of Reaction >3.3 Reversible Reactions and Equilibria >

4.7 Esters

4.7.1C Know that esters contain the functional group -COO-

The functional group of esters is

4.7.2C Know that ethyl ethanoate is the ester produced when ethanol and ethanoic acid react in the presence of an acid catalyst

ethanol + ethanoic acid → ethyl ethanoate (ester) + H2O

  • In the presence of an acid catalyst

4.7.3C Understand how to write the structural and displayed formulae of ethyl ethanoate

ETHYL ETHANOATE

  • Structural formula: CH3COOCH2CH3
  • Displayed formula:

4.7.4C Understand how to write the structural and displayed formulae of an ester, given the name or formula of the alcohol and carboxylic acid from which it is formed and vice versa

Esterification

alcohol + carboxylic acid → ester + H2O
  • During esterification:
    • H is lost from the alcohol
    • OH is lost from the carboxylic acid
    • The parts are combined to form ester

  • Identify the acid and alcohol part:
    • Split the compound between two oxygens
    • Acid: the half with C=O
    • Alcohol: the half with O
  • Naming of ester:
    • Count the number of carbons in both acid and alcohol part
    • Alcohol part: -yl
    • Carboxylic acid: -oate

4.7.5C Know that esters are volatile compounds with distinctive smells and are used as food flavourings and in perfumes

USES OF ESTERS

  • Esters are volatile compounds with distinctive smells
  • Ester are often used as food flavourings and in perfumes

4.7.6C Practical: prepare a sample of an ester such as ethyl ethanoate

METHODS

  1. Mix ethanol, ethanoic acid and concentrated sulphuric acid in a round-bottom flask
  2. Gently heat the mixture using a water bath or electric heater
    • Bunsen burner cannot be used because ethanol is flammable
  3. Ester formed is then distilled and collected to another beaker
    • Esters have lower boiling points, so they will evaporate first
    • Esters are removed from the mixture to prevent reverse reactions from occurring

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