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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: xc630 on March 22, 2008, 11:15:58 PM

Title: esters
Post by: xc630 on March 22, 2008, 11:15:58 PM
Hello I have a question I have researched online but haven't found the answer to:

Two esters with the empirical formula C3H6O2 may be prepared.  Write the structural formulas for these esters and name them.  how would you prepare the two esters in question 9. 

This is a prelab question and my gen chem class hasn't covered anything like this.  Thanks!

Title: Re: esters
Post by: Sev on March 23, 2008, 12:24:53 AM
CH3C(O)OCH3, HC(O)OCH2CH3

Can you name them now?
Title: Re: esters
Post by: xc630 on March 23, 2008, 12:01:35 PM
i looked online and found ethyl methanoate for the second one but didn't find the first
Title: Re: esters
Post by: ARGOS++ on March 23, 2008, 12:26:09 PM

Dear xc630;

The first one is done from CH3COOH (= Vinegar) and Methanol.
Hint: Vinegar has a chem. Name.

May this be of help to you?


Good Luck!
                    ARGOS++

Title: Re: esters
Post by: Arkcon on March 23, 2008, 12:28:48 PM
Quote from: xc630 on March 23, 2008, 12:01:35 PM
i looked online and found ethyl methanoate for the second one but didn't find the first

Check your textbook for the general rules for ether oops ester nomenclature, once you know the rules, you'll be able to name them, even if the net is down or unavailable.
Title: Re: esters
Post by: ARGOS++ on March 23, 2008, 12:45:50 PM

Dear Arkcon;

I thought:  Esters,  - not Ethers.

Good Luck!
                    ARGOS++

Title: Re: esters
Post by: xc630 on March 23, 2008, 01:00:53 PM
Okay I believe the first one if methyl acetate.  What's the process for knowing it's derived from vinegar and methanol. How would I know what the second one is derived from?
Title: Re: esters
Post by: ARGOS++ on March 23, 2008, 01:36:10 PM
Dear xc630;

Exact! , - or analog to your second: Methyl-Ethanoate.

Do the same as I:  Translate CH(O)O-R1 into CH(O)O- (= R'-COO- = Carbon Acid Group) and the required Alcohol, in your case: CH3-CH2-OH, the Ethanol.
That’s all.


Good Luck!
                    ARGOS++