11.2.3

Naming Unbranched Esters from Alcohols & Acids

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Naming Unbranched Esters from Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

Esters form from alcohols (-ol) and carboxylic acids (-anoic acid). Named as alkyl + oate, they contain a C=O and C-O-C link. Displayed formulae show these structures.

Illustrative background for What are esters?Illustrative background for What are esters? ?? "content

What are esters?

  • Esters are organic compounds made from alcohols and carboxylic acids.
    • Esters contain a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to another oxygen atom.
  • The other oxygen is linked to an alkyl group from the alcohol.
Illustrative background for Naming unbranched alcoholsIllustrative background for Naming unbranched alcohols ?? "content

Naming unbranched alcohols

  • Unbranched alcohols have a straight chain of carbon atoms.
    • Alcohol names end with "-ol"
    • Examples include methanol (1 carbon), ethanol (2 carbons), propanol (3 carbons), butanol (4 carbons).
  • Each name shows the number of carbons in the chain.
Illustrative background for Naming unbranched carboxylic acidsIllustrative background for Naming unbranched carboxylic acids ?? "content

Naming unbranched carboxylic acids

  • Unbranched carboxylic acids have a straight chain ending in COOH.
    • Acid names end with "-anoic acid."
    • Examples include methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid.
  • These acids have 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the chain.
Illustrative background for Naming esters formed from alcohols and acidsIllustrative background for Naming esters formed from alcohols and acids ?? "content

Naming esters formed from alcohols and acids

  • Esters are named: alkyl group from alcohol + acid name with "-oate" ending.
    • For example, ethanol + ethanoic acid → ethyl ethanoate.
  • The alkyl group name comes from the alcohol; the acid name changes "-anoic acid" to "-anoate".
  • This rule applies to esters with up to 4 carbons in each part.
Illustrative background for Drawing displayed formulae of unbranched estersIllustrative background for Drawing displayed formulae of unbranched esters ?? "content

Drawing displayed formulae of unbranched esters

  • To draw esters, link the alcohol alkyl group (C and H atoms) to the ester oxygen.
    • Attach the acid part with a carbon double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to ester oxygen.
    • For example, ethyl ethanoate has a 2-carbon group attached to oxygen and the acid part with 2 carbons.
  • Practice drawing all combinations from 1 to 4 carbons on each part.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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