The following list of steps refers to an experimental plan for making an ester in a flask - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2002 - Paper 1
Question 9
The following list of steps refers to an experimental plan for making an ester in a flask. Some of the steps in the list may NOT be required for this experiment. The... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The following list of steps refers to an experimental plan for making an ester in a flask - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2002 - Paper 1
Step 1
Add 1 mL of ethanoic acid.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Begin by adding 1 mL of ethanoic acid to your flask, as this is a key reactant in the esterification process.
Step 2
Add 1 mL of ethanol.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Next, introduce 1 mL of ethanol. This will react with the ethanoic acid to form the ester.
Step 3
Add three drops of concentrated sulfuric acid.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Then, add three drops of concentrated sulfuric acid, which acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction.
Step 4
Heat the mixture under reflux.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
After adding the acid, heat the mixture under reflux to promote the reaction between the acid and the alcohol.
Step 5
Distil the mixture.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Once the reaction is complete, distil the mixture to separate the ester from the unreacted reactants.
Step 6
Add three drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
97%
121 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Finally, add three drops of phenolphthalein indicator if needed to monitor the pH changes during the reaction.
