What do you form when methanol reacts with butanoic acid?

Esters occur naturally but they can be made in the laboratory by reacting an alcohol with an organic acid. A little sulfuric acid is needed as a catalyst.The general word equation for the reaction is:alcohol (OH) + organic acid (COOH) → ester + waterFor example:methanol + butanoic acid → methyl butanoate + watermethyl= 1Cbutane= 4CThe alcohol (methanol) loose an H, and the carboxylic acid loose an OH which form the by product of this reaction = water The ester formed= methyl butanoate: the alcohol takes the first part of the name and the carboxylic acid the later. The newly formed ester bond = C-O-C=O

GW
Answered by Grace W. Chemistry tutor

21035 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe covalent bonding


I don't understand why pressure changes the position of equilibrium in a reaction?


What is an isotope?


Bromine has an atomic number of 35 but has two stable isotopes- bromine-79 and bromine-81. Given that 51% of bromine atoms are bromine-79 and 49% are bromine-81%, work out the relative atomic mass of bromine to the nearest whole number.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences