4.42C: Know that Esters are Volatile Compounds with Distinctive Smells and are Used as Food Colourings and in Perfumes

ESTERS: Group of organic compounds that all contain the same functional group -COO-

  

Picture showing Different uses of Esters

PROPERTIES OF ESTERS:

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Properties of Esters that makes them useful for food colouring and perfume:

• VOLATILITY - Esters are volatile as they have weak intermolecular forces of attraction so can evaporate easily (readily change from liquid to gas)

• DISTINCTIVE SMELL - Esters have pleasant 'fruity' smells (e.g Pentyl Butanoate has the smell of Strawberries)