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CAIE AS Chemistry 18.2.1 Preparing Esters

Practise forming esters by condensing a carboxylic acid with an alcohol using concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst, identifying reactants, products and the reaction conditions.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
AS

Exam points

  • combine the acid acyl portion and alcohol alkyl portion to construct the ester structure
  • use concentrated H2SO4 as catalyst and heat, forming water as the condensation coproduct
  • name the ester as alkyl alkanoate and work backwards from its structure to both reactants

18.2.1—Preparation of esters question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

4(CH3)3CCHO4\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CCHO} is used in the synthesis of some antibiotics.

Two reaction sequences are shown.

Figure for Question 18.2.1—Preparation of esters question 1 — CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS
Figure for Question 18.2.1—Preparation of esters question 1 — CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS

Draw the structure of the organic molecule T that reacts with A,(CH3)3CCO2H\mathbf{A},\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CCO}_{2} \mathrm{H}, in reaction 2, to form U.

Suggest a catalyst for reaction 2.
T
catalyst

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