Ester: Difference between revisions
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An ester is a product of a | An ester is a product of a [[Carboxylic acid|carboxylic acid]] and an [[Alcohol|alcohol]] joined together by an [[Ester bond|ester bond]]. This reaction is known as esterification, where an alcohol and carboxylate acid join in the presence of an acid catalyst forming an ester and the by-product is water. Typically, concentrated [[Sulphuric acid|sulphuric acid]] is used as the [[Catalysts|catalyst]] in [[Esterification|esterification]] in this reaction sulphuric acid is a good example of a homogeneous catalyst as it is in the same phase as the reactants (liquid phase). Esters are used in foods and in perfumes and can be also formed from acid [[Anhydrides|anhydrides]] and broken down by acid and alkaline [[Hydrolysis|hydrolysis]] back into the original carboxylic acid and alcohol. | ||
Latest revision as of 09:16, 5 December 2017
An ester is a product of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol joined together by an ester bond. This reaction is known as esterification, where an alcohol and carboxylate acid join in the presence of an acid catalyst forming an ester and the by-product is water. Typically, concentrated sulphuric acid is used as the catalyst in esterification in this reaction sulphuric acid is a good example of a homogeneous catalyst as it is in the same phase as the reactants (liquid phase). Esters are used in foods and in perfumes and can be also formed from acid anhydrides and broken down by acid and alkaline hydrolysis back into the original carboxylic acid and alcohol.