Alcohols - Esterification (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

• Esters are compounds with an -COOR functional group and are characterised by their sweet and fruity smells
• They are prepared from the condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and alcohol with concentrated H₂SO₄ as catalyst
  • This is also called esterification

• The first part of the ester’s name comes from the alcohol and the second part of the name comes from the carboxylic acid
  • E.g. Propanol and ethanoic acid will give the ester propyl ethanoate

Esters are formed from the condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols