IGCSEChemistryOxford AQARevision NotesOrganic ChemistryOrganic Compounds – their Structure & ReactionsEsters

Esters (Oxford AQA IGCSE Chemistry)

Revision Note

Philippa Platt

Written by: Philippa Platt

Reviewed by: Stewart Hird

Naming Esters

  • Alcohols and carboxylic acids react to make esters in esterification reactions

  • Esters are compounds with the functional group R-COO-R

  • Ethanoic acid will react with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid (catalyst) to form ethyl ethanoate:

CH3COOH + C2H5OH → CH3COOC2H5 + H2O

The ester functional group

Diagram to show the ester functional group
The functional group on an ester contains -COO-

Ethanoic Acid + Ethanol

Preparing-Ethyl-Ethanoate_, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes
Diagram showing the formation of ethyl ethanoate

Examiner Tips and Tricks

You are only expected to be able to give the name of ethyl ethanoate, but you should be able to recognise a compound as an ester from its name or its structural formula.

Properties & Uses of Esters

  • Esters are sweet smelling oily liquids used in food flavourings and perfumes

  • They are volatile, meaning they vaporise easily

An image to show the uses of esters as perfumes
Esters can be used as perfumes

Photo by pngtree

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    Philippa Platt

    Author: Philippa Platt

    Expertise: Chemistry

    Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener

    Stewart Hird

    Author: Stewart Hird

    Expertise: Chemistry Lead

    Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.