Esters

Definition: Are organic compounds derived from carboxylic acids. A carboxylic acid contains the -COOH carboxyl group, and in an ester the hydrogen in the group is replaced by a hydrocarbon group of some kind. This could be an alkyl group like methyl or ethyl, or one containing a benzene ring like phenyl.

Least organic compound: Methylmethanoate COOHCH3

Functional group:

O = C - O - R

R   .

Physical properties:

Boiling pointsThe small esters have boiling points which are similar to those of aldehydes and ketones with the same number of carbon atoms.

Molecule	Type	Boiling point
CH3COOCH2CH3	Ester	77,1
CH3CH2CH2COOH	Carboxylic acid	164

Solubility in water
The small esters are fairly soluble in water but solubility falls with chain length.

Molecule	Type	Boiling point
CH3COOCH2CH3	Ester	77,1
CH3CH2CH2COOH	Carboxylic acid	164