How many esters with the molecular formula C_5H_10O_2 can be made by reacting a primary alcohol with a carboxylic acid? A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 8?

1 Answer
May 21, 2018

I count C. six esters.

Explanation:

Methyl esters don't count, because methanol is not a 1° alcohol. It has no alkyl groups attached to the carbon bearing the "OH" group.

There are six esters that satisfy the criteria.

Ethyl propionateEthyl propionate

n-Propyl acetaten-Propyl acetate

Isopropyl acetateIsopropyl acetate

n-Butyl formaten-Butyl formate

isobutyl formateisobutyl formate

sec-Butylformatesec-Butylformate