Chapter 19, Problem 72AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The molecular formula for the alcohol in beeswax has to be determined using the general molecular formula of alcohols. Once the molecular formula is found, the molar mass of open-chain saturated alcohol has to be calculated by adding the molar mass of each atom in the molecular formula.

Concept Introduction:

Molar mass:

The molar mass of alcohols is the sum of the molar mass of all the carbon atoms, the molar mass of all the hydrogen atoms and the molar mass of the oxygen atom.

Alcohols:

Alcohols are organic compounds whose molecules contains the hydroxyl $\left(-\text{OH}\right)$ functional group bonded to ${\text{sp}}^3$ hybridized carbon. The generalized structure of alkyl halides is represented as follows:

The general molecular formula for alcohols is written down:

${\text{C}}_n{\text{H}}_{2n+1}\text{OH}$

Esters:

Esters are a class of organic compounds that can be derived from the dehydration reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols. The generalized structure of esters is shown below: