BRAINCAKENaming Esters
Esters have the functional group -COO- and the general formula RCOOR'. They are made from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, and the name is built from both parents.
An ester is named as an alkyl alkanoate. The first word comes from the alcohol (methyl, ethyl, propyl and so on). The second word comes from the carboxylic acid, with the ending -oic acid changed to -oate.
ethanoic acid + methanol → methyl ethanoate, CH3COOCH3
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More in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Naming Carboxylic Acids
- Carboxylic Acids as Weak Acids
- Reaction with Carbonates
- Esterification
- Uses of Esters
- Hydrolysis of Esters
- Vegetable Oils and Fats
- Soap Making
All 16 lessons in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives · All AQA A-level Chemistry topics