Chapter 20.4, Problem 4RQ

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The water that is removed in the reaction below and the structure of ester which results need to be determined.

  ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{C}-\text{OH}+\text{H}-{\text{OCH}}_{\text{3}}$

Concept Introduction:

Esters: Ester is formed when carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol and water is released as a byproduct.

Answer to Problem 4RQ

  

Explanation of Solution

The given reaction is, ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{C}-\text{OH}+\text{H}-{\text{OCH}}_{\text{3}}$ which can be represented in general as follows: $\text{RCOOH}+\text{R'OH}\to \text{RCOOR'}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$

And ester has the following general formula:

  

Therefore, water that is removed in the reaction below and draw the ester which results

  

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The name of each of the compounds in the reaction needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: Esters: A carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and a

water molecule.

Answer to Problem 4RQ

Propanoic acid, methanol and ethyl methanoate.

Explanation of Solution

In the given reaction, acid and alcohol are reacting to form an ester.

The number of C atoms in acid is 3 thus, it is a propanoic acid. The number of C atoms in alcohol is 1 thus, it is methanol. The number of C atoms formed in ester is 4 and it is formed after the removal of OH group from acid and H group from alcohol. The resultant ester will be ethyl methanoate.