GCSE CHEMISTRY - The Reactions of Methanoic Acid with Alcohols to make Esters - Making Methyl Methanoate, Ethyl Methanoate, Propyl Methanoate and Butyl Methanoate

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The Reaction of Methanoic Acid with Alcohols to make Esters.

Methanoic acid will react with alcohols in the presence of
concentrated sulfuric acid, to form esters.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is a catalyst for this reaction.

methanol + methanoic acid methyl methanoate + water.
CH₃OH_(aq) + HCO₂H_(aq) HCO₂CH₃_(aq) + H₂O_(l)

The structure of methyl methanoate.
methyl methanoate ester

ethanol + methanoic acid ethyl methanoate + water.
C₂H₅OH_(aq) + HCO₂H_(aq) HCO₂C₂H₅_(aq) + H₂O_(l)

The structure of ethyl methanoate.
ethyl methanoate ester

propanol + methanoic acid propyl methanoate + water.
C₃H₇OH_(aq) + HCO₂H_(aq) HCO₂C₃H₇_(aq) + H₂O_(l)

The structure of propyl methanoate.
propyl methanoate ester

butanol + methanoic acid butyl methanoate + water.
C₄H₉OH_(aq) + HCO₂H_(aq) HCO₂C₄H₉_(aq) + H₂O_(l)

The structure of butyl methanoate.
butyl methanoate ester

Links Esters Revision Questions

gcsescience.com The Periodic Table Index Esters Quiz gcsescience.com

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