Question

Write out the full mechanism (with arrows) for the formation of Pentyl Propionate. And explain what is happening.

also any quantities of alcohol, acid, catalyst used in the expierment in terms of reaction.

Answer 1

1.Heat 20 mL of water in a 250 mL beaker to the boiling point using a hot plate. DO NOT use the bunsen burner as there are flammable alcohol being used openly in the lab.
2.While the water is heating prepare a clean dry large test tube.
3.In the test tube place 10 mL of one of the alcohol and 10 mL of one of the acids. Set this aside.
4.Using a dropper pipette get some concentrated sulphuric acid. CAUTION: concentrated sulphuric acid is extremely corrosive to skin and clothing.
5.Place the large test tube in the boiling water. Add 10 drops of the sulphuric acid to the alcohol, carboxylic acid mixture in the test tube.
6.Boil the reaction for 5 minutes.
7.To a clean distilling flask, add 50 mL of distilled water and the contents of your large test tube.
8.Set up your distilling apparatus and distill the ester from the distillation flask mixture. It should be the first substance that comes off. Record the temperatures every 30 seconds after the temperature of the mixture starts to climb quickly.
9.Your ester is the distillate. Packing the outside of the receiving flask with ice will help condense your ester.