Yes...another calculation problem.

Question

Rxn:

1ml isopentyl alcohol + 1.5ml glacial acetic acid + 3 drops sulfuric acid=> isopentyl acetate

to calculate the theoretical yield..

I know that the acetic acid is in excess but how would I calculate the theoretical yield?
is it just find moles acetic acid (know excess) and then since I do know that the ratio is 1:1 then I can just find theoretical yield directly?

Another question is...

1) What catalyst is used in the experiment?
I say it's the sulfuric acid.

2) since one method of formation of ester is to add excess acetic acid. What is another way to form the ester which will favor the formation fo ester

I said that you could add excess isopentyl alcohol

3) Why is it easier to remove excess acetic acid from products than excess isopentyl alcohol?

No idea about this question.

Thank you

Answer 1

Is the last question with the "why is it easier to remove excess acetic acid from products than excess isopentyl alcohol?"

because I can just use sodium bicarbonate to remove the acid?

Is there a method to remove the isopentyl alcohol though?