Question

Which sequence below would be appropriate for the synthesise of an ester?
1. Heat the mixture

2. Add three drops of concentrated sulfuric acid

3. Add 1 mL of ethanol

4. Add 1 mL of ethene

5. Add 1 mL of ethanoic acid

6. Distil or recrystallise

7. Add three drops of phenolphtalein indicator

Answer 1

3. Add 1 mL of ethanol
5. Add 1 mL of ethanoic acid
2. Add three drops of concentrated sulfuric acid
1. Heat the mixture
6. Distil or recrystallise

Note: Adding ethene (4) is not necessary for synthesis of an ester. Adding phenolphthalein indicator (7) is also not necessary.