1. Chapter 16 Carboxylic Acids and Esters
16.5 Properties of Esters

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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