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 propionate

n-Propyl acetate

Isopropyl acetate

n-Butyl formate

isobutyl formate

sec-Butylformate