Lab Report for Experiment: Fischer Esterification.
In class, we started the reaction and observed the scent of the ester forming. The following questions concern the full procedure we tried to maximize the yield and collect pure product:
1. The reaction would have been heated for a longer period of time. This would have been done to define refluxing.
2. Alcohol and carboxylic acid ester, which would likely have the lower boiling point to purify the ester formed.
3. Identify where each of the following species are located during the extraction (circle which layer questions):
- Organic layer
- Aqueous layer
- The ester
- Remaining carboxylic acid
4. Look at the reagents used in the posted procedure. How is the carboxylic acid transformed during the extraction? Write the chemical equation for this part of the experiment.
5. Look at the reagents used in the posted procedure. How is the sulfuric acid transformed during the extraction? Write the chemical equation for this part of the experiment.