Reason for adding water in esterification? (1 Viewer)

[SmileyCam]

Just writing upa prac on making an ester and was wondering if anyone could explain why we (add water then drain)x3 then add water, NaHCO3 then drain, I know the gist of it but I need clarification, I can't find out from the various textbooks I have >.<

 

[physician]

Just writing upa prac on making an ester and was wondering if anyone could explain why we (add water then drain)x3 then add water, NaHCO3 then drain, I know the gist of it but I need clarification, I can't find out from the various textbooks I have >.<

because the acid and alcohol form polar bonds and are able to dissolve in water... leaving u with the ester....

NaHCO₃ I'm not sure why it's added but obviously to get the ester on its own... but i'm not sure what it reacts with...

I'm just telling u what i know from the back of my head... sooo... yeh....

 

[SmileyCam]

oh ok, thanks, I think that NaHCO3 removes ions or water or something

 

[currysauce]

the sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to remove any of the left over alkanoic acid that wasn't used in the ester formation.

u should then use a funnel to remove ester and water

 

[bEAbEA]

The sulfuric acid was a catalyst and is also a dehydrating agent
The sodium hydrogen carbonate neutralises the excess acid on the solution
The calcium chloride is also a dehydrating agent to remove any left over water before distillation - to ensure a purer ester at the end.