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A2- Esters

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Total cards: 22•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (22)

#1
Front (Question)

How is an ester different to a carboxylic acid?

Back (Answer)

has an organic group attached to the O rather than a H

#2
Front (Question)

Describe the solubility of COOHs and RCOOR’s?

Back (Answer)

COOHs; smaller chains are soluble as they can form H bonds, as chain length increases, force of H bonds has less effect on whole molecule RCOOR’s; do not form H bonds and are insoluble

#3
Front (Question)

What are 3 uses of esters?

Back (Answer)

flavourings, perfumes, solvents

#4
Front (Question)

What is the word equation for the formation of esters using COOH?

Back (Answer)

alcohol + carboxylic acid -> ester + water

#5
Front (Question)

Why is concentrated H2SO4 used as a catalyst?

Back (Answer)

it is a dehydrating agent

#6
Front (Question)

What is hydrolysis?

Back (Answer)

reaction with water that breaks a compound in 2 (opposite of esterification)

#7
Front (Question)

When does hydrolysis occur?

Back (Answer)

under reflux

#8
Front (Question)

What is produced from hydrolysis in acidic conditions? (HCl)

Back (Answer)

carboxylic acid and alcohol

#9
Front (Question)

What is produced from hydrolysis in basic conditions? (NaOH)

Back (Answer)

salt and alcohol

#10
Front (Question)

What reaction conditions are needed to form esters?

Back (Answer)

reaction of COOH with an alcohol - strong acid catalyst - under reflux

#11
Front (Question)

What is the production of a carboxylate salt in base hydrolysis called?

Back (Answer)

saponification

#12
Front (Question)

Why are carboxylate salts used in soaps?

Back (Answer)

hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties

#13
Front (Question)

How are biodiesels made?

Back (Answer)

react vegetable oils with methanol in the presence of a metal hydroxide catalyst

#14
Front (Question)

How are vegetable oils and animal fats hydrolysed in alkaline conditions?

Back (Answer)

heated in alkaline conditions, produce soap (salts of COOHs) and glycerol

#15
Front (Question)

Why are the reactions forming esters condensation reactions?

Back (Answer)

form H2O molecule

#16
Front (Question)

How do you identify an ester?

Back (Answer)

smell sweet

#17
Front (Question)

Why are esters useful in scents?

Back (Answer)

• solvents • volatile so evaporate easily • distinctive smells

#18
Front (Question)

What is needed for basic hydrolysis?

Back (Answer)

• dilute base • NaOH • reflux

#19
Front (Question)

What is needed for acid hydrolysis?

Back (Answer)

• dilute acid • HCl or H2SO4 • reflux

#20
Front (Question)

How does an ester plasticiser work?

Back (Answer)

• by penetrating between the polymer chains and increasing the distance between them • weakens polar effects of bonds, allows polymers to slide over each other

#21
Front (Question)

Which hydrolysis reaction is irreversible?

Back (Answer)

basic hydrolysis

#22
Front (Question)

What other reaction is needed to reform carboxylic acids in alkaline ester hydrolysis?

Back (Answer)

acidification