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A student prepared the compound methyl propanoate in a school laboratory - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 22 - 2010 - Paper 1
Question 22
A student prepared the compound methyl propanoate in a school laboratory. (a) Give a common use for the class of compounds to which methyl propanoate belongs. (b) ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student prepared the compound methyl propanoate in a school laboratory - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 22 - 2010 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Why was it necessary to reflux the mixture?
Answer
Refluxing the mixture is necessary to ensure that the reaction between the starting materials proceeds to completion. The heat allows the reactants to react more vigorously while the condenser prevents the escape of vapor, thus maintaining the concentration of the reactants and facilitating the esterification process.
Step 3
Name the TWO reactants used in preparing the methyl propanoate and draw their structural formulae.
Answer
The two reactants used in preparing methyl propanoate are:
-
Methanol (CH3OH)
-
Propanoic acid (C2H5COOH)
The structural formulae are as follows:
-
Methanol:
H | H – C – O – H | H -
Propanoic acid:
O || C – C – H | | H H
Combining them in a reaction results in methyl propanoate and water.