FORM 5

2.7
Esters

Esters

A carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol, in the presence of concentrated sulphuric

acid (as a catalyst) to form ester and water.

Examples of esters
CH33COOH
+ CH33OH CH33COOCH33 + H22O
Ethanoic acid
Methanol
Methyl ethanoate
C22H55COOH + C33H77OH C2H55COOC33H77 + H22O
Propanoic acid
Propanol
Propyl propanoate
HCOOH
+ C22H55OH
HCOOC22H5
+ H22O
Methanoic acid
Ethanol
Ethyl methanoate
C33H77COOH
+
Butanoic acid

C33H77OH C33H77COOC33H7 + H22O

Propanol
Propyl butanoate

CH33COOH
+ C55H11
OH CH33COOC5H11
+ H22O
11
11
Ethanoic acid
Pentanol
Pentyl ethanoate
C44H99COOH
+ C44H99OH C44H99COOC44H99
+ H22O
Pentanoic acid
Butanol
Butyl pentanoate

Uses of esters

Food flavourings

Perfumes

Solvent
for glue

Making Soap

Natural sources of esters

Lavender
Sun flower

Flowers
Rose

Fruits

Oils from
plants

Peach
Ethyl
butanoate
C3H7COOC2H5

Pineapple
Ethyl
butanoate
C3H7COOC2H5

Oranges
Octyl
ethanoat
CH3COOC8H17