4.43C: Practical: Prepare a Sample of an Ester such as Ethyl Ethanoate

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

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PREPARING A SAMPLE OF AN ESTER:

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PREPARATION OF ETHYL ETHANOATE

Diagram showing the Preparation of Ethyl Ethanoate

METHOD: Conical flask containing mixture of Ethanoic acid, Ethanol and concentrated Sulfuric acid is gently heated in a water bath for several minutes Vapors of Esters will rise and evaporate Vapors pass through condenser where it cools and condenses, turning into a liquid that is collected in a beaker - this prevents the reverse reaction from occurring as Ester has the lowest boiling point of any substance present in mixture

RESULT: METHOD 1: If Ester is present, 'fruity' odour can be smelt METHOD 2: If Ester is present, insolubility of Ester will cause a thin layer to form on top when poured into Water