Esterification
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How are esters formed?
They are formed when an alcohol and a carboxylic acid react together
Why is the name given to the reaction that takes place to form an ester?
A condensation reaction
Why is the reaction that takes place when forming an ester referred to as a condensation reaction?
Since water is formed in the reaction
Why can the condensation reaction during the formation of an ester also be referred to as a substitution reaction?
Since the H attached to the -OH group in the carboxylic acid molecule have been replaced by an alkyl group
What is the formation of an ester commonly referred to as?
Esterification
What is commonly referred to as esterification?
The formation of an ester
What type of a reaction is esterification?
An equilibrium reaction
How is a state of equilibrium set up during esterification?
Because the ester formed reacts with water to form the carboxylic acid and alcohol that formed the ester
What is the reverse reaction of esterification/condensation?
Hydrolysis
How are esters hydrolysed easily?
They are hydrolysed very effectively in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide
Esters are hydrolysed very easily in the presence of bases such as what? (2)
Sodium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide
Are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide acids or bases?
Bases
What is formed from the base hydrolysis of esters using sodium hydroxide?
It forms the sodium salt of the carboxylic acid rather than the carboxylic acid itself
Why is base hydrolysis of an ester to form the sodium salt of the carboxylic acid important?
It used in the manufacturer of soap
What is base hydrolysis of esters using sodium hydroxide to form the salt of the carboxylic acid also called?
Saponification
What is saponification also called?
Base-catalysed hydrolysis of esters
What does the catalytic step involve?
It involves the OH- ions from the NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and results in the formation of the acid and alcohol
Why is referring to saponification as ‘base-catalysed hydrolysis of esters’ not strictly correct?
As the sodium hydroxide is used up in the reaction (unlike a catalyst)
During what step is the OH- from the NaOH used up?
The second non-catalytic stage