Preparing and Observing the Properties of Esthers

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Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to prepare and observe the properties of esters. The ester that will be synthesized in this methyl Salicylate
Introduction
Almost everybody is familiar with the fruity scents at their local grocery store. Many of these scents are esters. Most of the aromas we know represent a mixture of esters and other molecules like alcohol. The process of making ester is known as esterification. Esters are formed carboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol, water is also produced from this reaction. Carboxylic acid contains the –COOH group (Jim Clark, 2003)
The general formula for esterification is
O O
|| ||
R-C-OH + HO-R R-C-O-R + HOH
Figure 1: Formula for esterification
The purpose of this experiment was to prepare an ester with a wintergreen scent. This was accomplished by pouring the mixture from the reaction between methanol, sulphuric acid and salicylic acid into an evaporating dish with water.
The diagram below represents the reaction between the salicylic acid and the methanol and the result.
O OH O O
OH H2SO4 OH
+ HO CH3 + H2O

Figure 2: Reactants and results of esterification.
Esterification usually requires a catalyst to speed up the reaction.

Hypothesis:
If salicylic acid is reacts with methanol then the result from the reaction will be an ester and water.
Apparatus and Materials
 Hot Plate
 1 Test tube
 Test tube rack
 Methanol (2 ml)
 Concentrated ...

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...e smell of the rubber was present in the test tube which made it impossible to identify the scent from the test tube. Since the test tube cork is handmade it is possible methanol might have escaped from the spaces present at the side of the test tube. In order to prevent this from happening again a test tube cover/cork that is made of plastic should be used because plastic when heated doesn’t has little or no smell compare to rubber.

Bibliography
Chemguide, Esterification. http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/esterification.html (Accessed March 2014).
NHS Choices, Methyl Salicylate. http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Methyl%20salicylate (Accessed March 2014).
ZChemicals.com, Natural Flavors v.s Artificial Flavors. HTTP://WWW.ZCHEMICALS.COM/INDEX.PHP?OPTION=COM_CONTENT&TASK=VIEW&ID=25&ITEMID=26. (Accessed April 2014).

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