Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: lukas.stib on September 13, 2021, 11:58:14 AM

Title: Esterificaton of Acetic anhydride + alcohols
Post by: lukas.stib on September 13, 2021, 11:58:14 AM

Hello chemists,

how does the synthesis of esters of acetic acid from acetic anhydride and alcohols proceed? I should also perform reflux, and then distill the ester, and I should use excess alcohol or acetic anhydride?

Thank you, Lukáš S.

Title: Re: Esterificaton of Acetic anhydride + alcohols
Post by: Meter on September 14, 2021, 01:02:01 PM

Look up how acid anhydrides react as electrophiles.

Title: Re: Esterificaton of Acetic anhydride + alcohols
Post by: Babcock_Hall on September 14, 2021, 04:51:04 PM

You might want to pick up a copy of Tietze and Eicher's book, "Reactions and Syntheses in the Organic Laboratory."

Title: Re: Esterificaton of Acetic anhydride + alcohols
Post by: rolnor on September 15, 2021, 12:47:06 AM

I suggest mix them 1:1 and reflux over night. This should give you a pure product but ditillation can be good if not. This reaction can be exothermic so you should use a large flask and fill it to just 1/5 or so, otherwise the mixture could spurt out from the flask.