Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: PterodactylTrex on February 18, 2019, 03:20:28 PM

Title: Esterification: preparing n-amyl acetate. Why is K2CO3 added?
Post by: PterodactylTrex on February 18, 2019, 03:20:28 PM

Hello. This is probably a stupid question but I just can't see it.

Reagents: Pentanol & CH3COOH
Destillation products: H20, pentanol and amyl acetate.

They ask me why it's needed to add water free K2CO3 to the products.

I think that it reacts with the pentanol to make CH3COO- K+ but I don't see why.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Esterification: preparing n-amyl acetate. Why is K2CO3 added?
Post by: AWK on February 18, 2019, 05:01:46 PM

Esterification is an equilibrium reaction. Even with the excess of alcohol, your reaction product will contain acid.