Chapter 23, Problem 105IL

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The equation is to be written for the reaction of PET with labeled methanol and product which has labeled oxygen atom has to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Transesterification: Transesterification reaction is an esterification reaction of ester react with excess of alcohol in the presence of either acid or base catalyst to form a new ester. The formation of one type of ester can be transformed in to other form of esters is called esterification when reaction moves forward when we use excess of an alcohol.

The mechanism of the transesterification is given.

A general equation when the oxygen atom of alcohol is labeled $\left(\text{O}\right)$ is given below.

$\text{R}-\text{COO}-\text{R'}+\text{R''}-\text{O}\text{H}\to \text{R}-\text{CO}\text{O}-\text{R''}+\text{R'}-\text{OH}$