org09
Alcohol and acetic acid form an ester

Teacher experiment: The two acids are very corrosive.
Use goggles and gloves!
 

The smell of fruits, juices and wines are caused by different which are compounds made by chemical reactions of acids and alcohols. You will make the best known ester from ethanol and acetic acid.
For a very quick methods of estersynthesis click here.
Experiment: * Mix 3.6 ml (1 millimol) of concentrated alcohol and   6 ml (1 mmol) concentrated acetic acid in a 10-ml vial.
* Add 1drop of a catalyst (concentrated sulfuric acid). * Stopper the vial and keep it for one day.
Observationsand Explanation: * After one day the smell of Uhu glue appears:

CH3COOH + HO-CH2CH3 -------(catalyst) ------> CH3COO-CH2CH3 + H2O
This ester is used as a solvent for glues.                                                                  More about ester synthesis?

back....... go on............................................................................................................last modification: 23.10.2001