Acyl chlorides and estersEdexcel A-Level Chemistry: Flashcards

What these 12 flashcards ask

What functional group is in an acyl chloride, and how is it named?
What functional group is in an ester, and how is it named?
What is seen when ethanoyl chloride is added to water?
What is formed when ethanoyl chloride reacts with an alcohol?
What is formed when ethanoyl chloride reacts with concentrated ammonia?
What is formed when ethanoyl chloride reacts with a primary amine RNH₂?
Why are acyl chlorides much more reactive than carboxylic acids?
Why is ester formation from an acyl chloride better than from a carboxylic acid?
What are the conditions for acid hydrolysis of an ester?
What are the conditions for alkaline hydrolysis of an ester?
Why is alkaline hydrolysis of an ester not reversible?
How is the carboxylic acid obtained after alkaline hydrolysis?

Exam questions on Acyl chlorides and esters

Ethanoyl chloride, CH₃COCl, is a colourless liquid that fumes in moist air. A technician adds it carefully to several different reagents in a fume cupboard.
Ethanoyl chloride reacts with ethylamine. Name the organic product and write the equation for the reaction.2 marks
Ethyl propanoate, CH₃CH₂COOCH₂CH₃, is hydrolysed in two separate experiments. In the first it is heated under reflux with dilute sulfuric acid. In the second it is heated under reflux with aqueous sodium hydroxide.
Describe how propanoic acid can be obtained from the mixture formed after alkaline hydrolysis, and write an ionic equation for the reaction involved.2 marks
A flavour company makes propyl ethanoate, which has a pear-like smell. It can be made from propan-1-ol using either ethanoic acid or ethanoyl chloride. The company also tests samples of the ester by hydrolysing them.
Give the conditions for the acid hydrolysis of propyl ethanoate and name the two organic products.3 marks

Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).