Chapter 16 Carboxylic Acids and Esters 16.5 Properties of Esters

Boiling Points of Esters The boiling points of esters are higher than for alkanes of similar mass are lower than alcohols and carboxylic acids of similar mass because esters cannot form hydrogen bonds

Acid Hydrolysis of Esters In acid hydrolysis, an ester reacts with water to produce a carboxylic acid and an alcohol an acid catalyst is required

Base Hydrolysis (Saponification) Base hydrolysis (also called saponification) is the reaction of an ester with a strong base produces the salt of the carboxylic acid and an alcohol

“Soaps” The base hydrolysis of long chain fatty acids produces acid salts called “soaps”

Cleaning Action of Soap A soap contains a nonpolar end that dissolves in nonpolar fats and oils and a polar end that dissolves in water forms groups of soap molecules called micelles that dissolve in water and are washed away

Learning Check A. water and an acid catalyst B. KOH Write the condensed structural formulas of the organic products when methyl acetate reacts with: A. water and an acid catalyst B. KOH

Solution Write the condensed structural formulas of the organic products when methyl acetate reacts with: A. Water and an acid catalyst B. KOH