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Quiz yourself on Carboxylic AcidsGet your flashcardsBuild my revision planTrack my progress🏷️ Ester Naming and Conditions
How to name an ester: The name comes from the alcohol first, then the acid. Change the "-anol" of the alcohol to the alcohol stem + "-yl", and change "-oic acid" to "-oate".
- Ethanol + Ethanoic acid → Ethyl ethanoate
- Methanol + Propanoic acid → Methyl propanoate
Conditions for esterification: Concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) as a catalyst, and the mixture is heated. The reaction is reversible (⇌), so excess acid or alcohol is used to improve yield.
Key Test: To identify a carboxylic acid, add sodium carbonate — if it fizzes and produces CO₂ (turns limewater milky), it's a carboxylic acid!
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