Isopentyl Acetate
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to synthesize isopentyl acetate via an esterification reaction between glacial acetic acid and isopentyl alcohol, using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The product was washed using sodium bicarbonate and water, then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. It was then distilled using a standard simple distillation apparatus. The percent yield of isopentyl acetate was 60.39%. This may have been low due to incomplete distillation or evaporation once entering the receiving flask. The product had a distinct “banana oil” smell, making the reaction successful.
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to synthesize isopentyl acetate (3-methylbutly acetate) via Fischer Esterification. …show more content…
Although seemingly simple and straightforward, this reaction is actually very complex when the mechanism is proposed. Initially, heat is applied to the mixture containing acetic acid and isopentyl alcohol causing the formation of isopentyl acetate. After isopentyl acetate is formed, it must be isolated. The solution contains many undesired components, such as acetic acid and water. A series of steps must be taken to remove the desired organic layer from the aqueous layer. This process is known as extraction. The first step in the extraction process was to add water. This is due to the fact that the density of Isopentyl Acetate is .876b/cm3 (http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0356.htm), which means it does not dissolve in water, causing the aqueous portion of the solution to sink to the bottom of the flask. This does not remove all of the aqueous layers, so other similar steps must continue. The sodium bicarbonate reacts with the alcohol and acid creating acetate ions, sodium ions, carbon dioxide, and water as byproducts. Carbon dioxide gas evolves from the reaction, and is catalyzed by shaking, or heating. This gas is the cause of the pressure buildup within the flask, as well as the bubbles. The last step in removing all of the water from the distillate is a process called drying. Sodium Chloride and sulfate is used in the drying procedure because the sodium will dissolve in the water, causing the stranded water molecules in the organic layer to diffuse out of the product. One way to increase the yield of isopentyl acetate could be to use isopentyl alcohol in excess, although this could be quite
The purpose of this experiment is to synthesize isopentyl acetate via an esterification reaction between glacial acetic acid and isopentyl alcohol, using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The product was washed using sodium bicarbonate and water, then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. It was then distilled using a standard simple distillation apparatus. The percent yield of isopentyl acetate was 60.39%. This may have been low due to incomplete distillation or evaporation once entering the receiving flask. The product had a distinct “banana oil” smell, making the reaction successful.
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to synthesize isopentyl acetate (3-methylbutly acetate) via Fischer Esterification. …show more content…
Although seemingly simple and straightforward, this reaction is actually very complex when the mechanism is proposed. Initially, heat is applied to the mixture containing acetic acid and isopentyl alcohol causing the formation of isopentyl acetate. After isopentyl acetate is formed, it must be isolated. The solution contains many undesired components, such as acetic acid and water. A series of steps must be taken to remove the desired organic layer from the aqueous layer. This process is known as extraction. The first step in the extraction process was to add water. This is due to the fact that the density of Isopentyl Acetate is .876b/cm3 (http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0356.htm), which means it does not dissolve in water, causing the aqueous portion of the solution to sink to the bottom of the flask. This does not remove all of the aqueous layers, so other similar steps must continue. The sodium bicarbonate reacts with the alcohol and acid creating acetate ions, sodium ions, carbon dioxide, and water as byproducts. Carbon dioxide gas evolves from the reaction, and is catalyzed by shaking, or heating. This gas is the cause of the pressure buildup within the flask, as well as the bubbles. The last step in removing all of the water from the distillate is a process called drying. Sodium Chloride and sulfate is used in the drying procedure because the sodium will dissolve in the water, causing the stranded water molecules in the organic layer to diffuse out of the product. One way to increase the yield of isopentyl acetate could be to use isopentyl alcohol in excess, although this could be quite