1. We use a small amount of mineral acid in order to catalyze the reaction between butyl alcohol and acetic acid to form n-butyl acetate.
2. The reactant in excess is typically butyl alcohol, as it is added in larger quantities compared to acetic acid in order to drive the reaction forward and ensure a higher yield of n-butyl acetate.
3. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used to neutralize any excess acid after the reaction is complete and to help separate the organic layer from any remaining water.
4. The chemical reaction for the formation of n-butyl acetate is:
Butyl alcohol + Acetic acid -> n-Butyl acetate + Water
The mechanism involves the acid catalyzing the reaction between the alcohol and acetic acid to form the ester and water as a byproduct.
5. Distillation is used to separate and purify the n-butyl acetate product from any remaining reactants, byproducts, or impurities. This process allows for the isolation of the desired product in a more concentrated form.
6. Comparing the recorded boiling point of n-butyl acetate with literature data helps confirm the purity of the product. A closer match indicates a higher purity of the compound.
7. Another synthetic method for the preparation of n-butyl acetate could involve the esterification of butyl alcohol with acetic anhydride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid. This method may offer higher yields or different reaction conditions compared to the use of acetic acid.
1. Why do we used small amount of mineral acid?
2. What is the reactant in excess? Justify your answer
3. What is the role of sodium hydrogen carbonate
4. Write the equation of the chemical reaction and the associate mechanism
5. What is the role of distillation
6. compare the recorded boiling point with the literature data
7. Propose another synthetic methods for the preparation of n-butyl acetate
1 answer