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Esters are the basis of many naturally occurring odours and are therefore widely used in the creation of artificial flavours - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2003 - Paper 1
Question 3
Esters are the basis of many naturally occurring odours and are therefore widely used in the creation of artificial flavours. Methyl butanoate is a component of the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Esters are the basis of many naturally occurring odours and are therefore widely used in the creation of artificial flavours - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2003 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
b. Using 1-butanol and methanol as starting materials give chemical equations showing the steps in the preparation of methyl butanoate. Give the name of any catalyst used.
Answer
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Conversion of 1-butanol to butanoic acid:
CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-OH + [O] → CH3-CH2-CH2-COOH + H2O
Here, 1-butanol is oxidised to butanoic acid using oxidising agents like chromium trioxide.
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Formation of methyl butanoate:
CH3-CH2-COOH + CH3OH → CH3-CH2-COO-CH3 + H2O
This reaction occurs via a condensation reaction (esterification), combining butanoic acid with methanol.
Catalyst used:
- Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is often used as a catalyst for the esterification reaction.