[lukas.stib]

Hello chemists,

I´m doing esterification of salicylic acid and ethanol to giving ethyl salicylate using a small amount of H2SO4. Reflux takes about 1 hour, and let it react for another 2 hours. The question is; I feel ether or ethoxyethane on top of the reflux condenser. However, this should occur at a higher temperature ( I think 130°C ), boiling point is (about) alcohol. Isn't that bad? Will alcohol degrade out?

I'm going to synthesize other salicylates, and I'm afraid all of them will form more ethers from alcohols ...

Thank you, Lukáš S.

[hollytara]

The optimal temperature for rapid formation of diethyl ether from ethanol with sulfuric acid is 130-140 C.  If you go higher you start to do elimination. 

But that doesn't mean there isn't some reaction at lower temperatures. 

You have excess alcohol, so if some is lost to ether formation I wouldn't worry about it.

[lukas.stib]

OK, thank you