Question #5a394

1 Answer
May 15, 2017

Esters are typically (carboxylic) acid derivatives...........

Explanation:

Esters are typically (carboxylic) acid derivatives, in which the terminal hydroxyl group, #RC(=O)OH#, has been replaced by a hydrocarbyl group to give #RC(=O)OR'#.

Carboxylic esters are typically prepared by condensation of the parent carboxylic acid, and an added alcohol:

#RCO_2H + HOR'stackrel(Delta,H_3O^+)rightleftharpoonsRCO_2R'+H_2O#

Removal of the water, by one means or another (typically by azeotropic distillation with benzene or toluene) allows the equilibrium to be driven to the right as we face the page....

The resultant ester is typically a sweet smelling derivative (especially with longer chain alkyl groups), which are much in demand as (cheap!) fragrances and flavours.