The structure of ethyl pentanoate is shown - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1

To determine which pair of chemicals can produce ethyl pentanoate through esterification, we need to understand the concept of esterification, which involves the reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

1. Identify Ethyl Pentanoate Composition: Ethyl pentanoate consists of an ethyl group (derived from ethanol, CH₃CH₂OH) and a pentanoate group (derived from pentanoic acid, C₄H₉COOH).

2. Analyze the Options:

   • A. Ethene and pentan-1-ol: Ethene is not an alcohol and cannot react to form an ester with pentan-1-ol.

   • B. Ethane and pentanoic acid: Ethane is not an alcohol, hence cannot participate in esterification.

   • C. Ethanol and pentanoic acid: Ethanol can react with pentanoic acid to form ethyl pentanoate through esterification, following the reaction:

     $ext{Ethanol (C}_2 ext{H}_5 ext{OH) + Pentanoic Acid (C}_4 ext{H}_9 ext{COOH) } \rightarrow ext{Ethyl Pentanoate (C}_2 ext{H}_5 ext{COOC}_4 ext{H}_9 ext{)} + ext{Water (H}_2 ext{O)}$

   • D. Ethanoic acid and pentan-1-ol: This combination would produce pentyl acetate, not ethyl pentanoate.

3. Conclusion: The correct answer is option C: Ethanol and pentanoic acid form ethyl pentanoate.