UNIT 4B
MARCH 22
CHEMISTRY
Authored by: EMMANUEL AIRE BENANT
1
, INTRODUCTION- Preparation of an ester
AN ESTER BY THE CONDENSATION REACTION BETWEEN AN
ACID AND AN ALCOHOL UNDER ACIDIC CONDITIONS.
In this experiment, we are preparing ethyl ethanoate using
ethanoic acid and ethanol. Ethyl ethanoate, also known as ethyl
acetate, is an important industrial chemical used in a variety of
applications. It is an ester of ethanol and acetic acid with a
pleasant, fruity odor. The preparation of ethyl ethanoate requires
the use of an acid or base catalyst and a reaction between
ethanol and acetic acid. This report will discuss the various steps
involved in preparing ethyl ethanoate, including the choice of
catalyst and the reaction conditions needed. Additionally,
precautions and safety measures will be discussed to ensure the
safe and successful preparation of ethyl ethanoate.
H2SO4
CH3CH2OH + CH3CH2OH ----------- CH3CO2CH2CH3 + H2O
RISK ASSESSMENT
The preparation of ethyl ethanoate involves several potential risks and hazards.
Firstly, it involves the use of hazardous chemicals, such as ethyl alcohol, ethanoic
acid, and sulfuric acid.
Ethanol, sulfuric acid, calcium chloride, sodium carbonate and ethanoic acid are all
used in the esterification process. Ethanol and ethanoic acid are used as reactants in
the reaction to form the ester. Sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst to speed up the
reaction. Calcium chloride and sodium carbonate are drying agents , used to remove
water from the reaction mixture, which helps to increase the yield of the ester. All
these chemicals should be handled with care and proper protective equipment
2
,should be worn when handling them. In addition, the reaction produces heat and
fumes, so it must be done in a well-ventilated area.
Another risk is the potential for an explosion. Ethyl ethanoate is a flammable liquid
and should be stored in a cool, dry place away from any sources of ignition. In
addition, any spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Finally, the reaction produces toxic by-products, such as ethyl ethanoate vapors and
sulfuric acid fumes. These vapors and fumes can be hazardous to human health if
inhaled. Adequate ventilation and the use of protective equipment is essential when
working with this reaction.
When making an ester, one of the most significant hazards is the potential for fire or
explosion. This is due to the presence of flammable solvents such as ethanol,
acetone, and ethyl acetate, as well as the acidic catalysts used to drive the reaction.
In addition, esterification reactions can be highly exothermic, meaning that the heat
generated by the reaction can increase the risk of fire. Therefore, it is important to
ensure that the reaction is conducted in a well-ventilated area and that all necessary
safety precautions are taken.
Another hazard when making an ester is the potential for skin and eye irritation. This
is due to the presence of strong acids and bases, which can cause irritation and burns
if they meet the skin or eyes. Therefore, it is important to use protective clothing,
such as safety glasses, gloves, and a lab coat, when handling these chemicals.
Finally, esterification reactions can produce hazardous fumes and vapors. Therefore,
it is important to ensure that the reaction is conducted in a fume hood and that all
necessary precautions are taken to avoid inhalation of the fumes.
Anhydrous calcium chloride Irritant (low hazard)
Anhydrous sodium carbonate Irritant and toxic dry sample
Ethyl ethanoate Highly flammable and toxic when it is
inhaled. It can irritate the skin, eyes,
nose, and throat.
Methyl butane Toxic when inhaled and its extremely
flammable.
Ethanol Highly flammable
Ethanoic acid Corrosive as well as flammable. It can
cause great damage to the skin and the
3
, body if swallowed or inhaled.
To overcome these hazards, some health and safety measurements could be:
- PPE, such as lab coats, safety goggles and safety gloves.
- Flammable and corrosive material need to be treated with care to keep the
environment and the people safe.
- Fire extinguishers must be in the laboratory in case of fire.
- Standing while doing the experiment is important, as it can help to avoid
human error or prevent spillages of chemicals.
EQUIPMENT
The equipment used for the preparation of an ester includes a round bottom flask, a
condenser, a dropping funnel, an adapter, a magnetic stirring bar, and a heating
mantle. Also, a thermometer, a funnel, a distillation head a conical and round
bottom flask, and filter paper are also needed for preparing an ester.
The round bottom flask is used to contain the reaction mixture and the condenser is
used to remove the product as a gas. The dropping funnel is used to slowly add the
reactants into the reaction mixture. The magnetic stirring bar is needed to ensure the
reactants are well mixed. The heating mantle is used to heat the reaction mixture to
the desired temperature.
The thermometer is used to monitor the temperature of the reaction mixture. The
Buchner funnel and flask are used to remove the product from the reaction mixture
via vacuum filtration. Filter paper is needed to remove any impurities from the
product.
All these pieces of equipment are necessary for the preparation of an ester. Proper
use and safety precautions should be taken when using the equipment to ensure an
accurate and successful reaction.
The Quickfit apparatus is a versatile and versatile piece of laboratory equipment
used for a wide variety of experiments. It consists of a base unit with a clamp that
can be connected to other components, such as burettes, measuring cylinders, and
tubing. The base unit also has a platform that can be adjusted to secure different
4
,items, such as beakers and glassware. The Quickfit apparatus is commonly used in
chemistry and biology laboratories to carry out experiments involving liquids and
gases. It is also used in physics experiments to measure the pressure, temperature,
and flow of different substances. The Quickfit is designed to make it easy to connect
and disconnect different pieces of equipment, allowing for quick and easy
experimentation. The apparatus is also exceptionally durable and can withstand
elevated temperatures and pressures. The Quickfit apparatus is an essential tool for
any laboratory, allowing for accurate and efficient experiments.
A condenser is an important piece of equipment in the preparation of an ester. The
condenser is used to condense the vapors of the reaction mixture and to capture the
ester formed in the reaction. The condenser consists of a tube that is cooled by the
flow of a cooling medium such as water or oil. This cools the vapors of the reaction,
causing them to condense back into liquid form. The condenser is typically placed at
the end of the reaction vessel, and the condensed liquid is collected in a flask or a
separatory funnel. The ester formed in the reaction is usually the most volatile
component of the liquid and collected in the flask or separatory funnel. The
condenser is a valuable tool in the synthesis of esters as it helps to capture and
isolate the desired product.
Equipment list:
Bunsen Burner
Tripod
Beaker
Liebig Condenser
Gauze
Retort stand
Conical flask
Pear-shaped flask
Retort Clamp
Liebig Condenser
Distillation head
Scissor Jack
Thermometer
Round-bottomed flask
Dropping funnel
5
, Reflux condenser
Distillation apparatus
Vacuum adapter
Distillation head
Thermometer
Distilling flask
Ethanol
Glacial acetic acid
Sodium carbonate
Beaker
6
,7
,Distillation is a process used to separate a mixture of liquids, or a mixture of liquids
and solids, into its individual components. It works by heating the mixture until the
components vaporize and then cooling the vapor so that it condenses. Distillation is
used to purify liquids, separate mixtures of liquids, and to produce essential oils.
8
,Distillation is a process used to separate liquids or gases from a mixture based on
differences in their boiling points. It is one of the oldest and most widely used
processes in the chemical industry. In distillation, a mixture is heated until the
components with the lowest boiling points vaporize, while the components with the
highest boiling points remain a liquid. The vapor is then cooled and condensed,
allowing the individual components to be collected separately.
Distillation is a common method for purifying liquids, such as water and alcohol, and
is used to separate liquid mixtures. It is also used to produce essential oils from
plants, extract flavor and aroma compounds from food ingredients, and purify
chemicals for industrial and laboratory use. Distillation is a key step in fuel
production, including gasoline, jet fuel, and kerosene.
Distillation has many advantages over other separation techniques, such as filtration
and evaporation. It is highly efficient and can separate compounds with remarkably
similar boiling points. It is also relatively easy to control and scale up, making it
suitable for large-scale applications.
Distillation is not without its drawbacks, however. It can take a long time to separate
the components of a mixture, and the process can be costly and energy-intensive.
Additionally, some components may be degraded or degraded during the process.
For these reasons, distillation is often used in combination with other separation
techniques, such as filtration or crystallization.
Reflux is a type of distillation that uses a reflux condenser. The condenser is a device
that allows the vapor to be cooled and condensed more slowly than in regular
distillation. This allows the components of the mixture to be separated more
effectively. Reflux is often used to purify alcohol and produce essential oils. It is also
used in chemical processes such as fractional distillation. The goal of reflux is to
achieve equilibrium between the liquid and the vapor phases of a mixture, allowing
for the separation of the components.
The boiling point of ethyl ethanoate is relatively low compared to other organic
compounds. This low boiling point makes ethyl ethanoate ideal for use in distillation
9
, processes, as it can be easily separated from other compounds at low temperatures.
Additionally, the low boiling point of ethyl ethanoate means that it does not require
large amounts of heat energy to reach its boiling point, making it a cost-effective
solvent for many applications. The boiling point of ethyl ethanoate is 77.1°C. This
relatively low boiling point makes it a good solvent for many substances and is useful
for a variety of applications. It is also a relatively volatile substance, meaning that it
evaporates at a relatively low temperature and can be used in processes where
volatile solvents are required.
The purity of ethyl ethanoate is generally high and it is often used to dissolve other
substances. Its specific gravity and boiling point allow it to be separated easily from
other substances, making it a useful solvent for research and industrial applications.
The purity of ethyl ethanoate is directly linked to the percentage yield. This is
because the higher the percentage yield, the more pure the ethyl ethanoate will be.
If the percentage yield is low, the ethyl ethanoate produced may contain impurities,
resulting in a lower quality product. Therefore, to achieve a higher purity of ethyl
ethanoate, it is important to maximize the percentage yield of the reaction. Our
percentage yield is 47.73%. A percentage yield of 47.73% indicates that 47.73% of the
theoretical yield was actually produced in the given reaction. This percentage can be
used to compare the efficiency of the reaction in question with other reactions that
have been conducted. For example, if the reaction has been conducted in the past
with a higher percentage yield, then the current result may indicate that the reaction
needs to be optimized for better efficiency. Conversely, if the percentage yield is
lower than in the past, it could indicate that the reaction is not being conducted
optimally. In any case, a percentage yield of 47.73% is still a respectable result and
indicates that the reaction is being conducted in an efficient manner. This result
could be further improved if the reaction conditions are optimized and if the
reactants and conditions are carefully monitored. In order to increase the percentage
yield of ethyl ethanoate, there are a few key factors to consider.
The first factor is the quality of the reactants and solvents used. It is important to use
pure and fresh reactants to ensure that the maximum amount of product is
produced. Additionally, the reactants should be free from contaminants, as any
impurities may reduce the amount of product produced.
10