Question

Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for (a) the formation of butyl propionate from the appropriate acid and alcohol, (b) the saponification (base hydrolysis) of methyl benzoate.

Short answer

(a) \[CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2CH2CH2OH \rightarrow CH3CH2COOCH2CH2CH2CH3 + H2O\] (b) \[C6H5COOCH3 + NaOH \rightarrow C6H5COONa + CH3OH\]

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants and products

The reaction involves the formation of butyl propionate, which is an ester. To produce this ester, we will need the appropriate acid and alcohol. In this case, the acid is propanoic acid, and the alcohol is butanol.

Write the chemical equation using condensed structural formulas

The reaction between propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) and butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) will produce butyl propionate (CH3CH2COOCH2CH2CH2CH3) and water (H2O). The condensed structural formula for this reaction is: \[ CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2CH2CH2OH \rightarrow CH3CH2COOCH2CH2CH2CH3 + H2O \] (b) Saponification of methyl benzoate

Identify the reactants and products

Saponification, or base hydrolysis, of methyl benzoate involves the reaction of methyl benzoate with a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The products of this reaction are sodium benzoate and methanol.

Write the chemical equation using condensed structural formulas

The reaction between methyl benzoate (C6H5COOCH3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) will produce sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa) and methanol (CH3OH). The condensed structural formula for this reaction is: \[ C6H5COOCH3 + NaOH \rightarrow C6H5COONa + CH3OH \] In conclusion, the balanced chemical equations for the two reactions using condensed structural formulas are: (a) CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2CH2CH2OH → CH3CH2COOCH2CH2CH2CH3 + H2O (b) C6H5COOCH3 + NaOH → C6H5COONa + CH3OH

Key concepts

Ester Formation

Ester formation is an essential reaction in organic chemistry, often referred to as esterification. It's the chemical process where a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, producing an ester as the main product and water as a byproduct.

This process is best understood through the example provided in the exercise. Butyl propionate is the ester formed when propanoic acid reacts with butanol. In this organic synthesis, the -OH group from the carboxylic acid (propanoic acid) combines with the hydrogen atom from the alcohol's -OH group (butanol), releasing water and forming the ester link. The reaction could be represented by the following balanced chemical equation in condensed structural formulas:
\[\begin{equation}CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2CH2CH2OH \rightarrow CH3CH2COOCH2CH2CH2CH3 + H2O\end{equation}\]

Esters are characterized by their sweet, often fruity odors and are used in a variety of applications including fragrances, flavorings, and solvents. Esterification is an equilibrium reaction and may require catalysts or specific conditions like heat to increase yields.

Saponification

Saponification is another important reaction in organic chemistry, particularly in the field of biochemistry and soap manufacturing. Saponification involves the base hydrolysis of esters, usually triglycerides, leading to the formation of a glycerol and salts of fatty acids, which we commonly refer to as soap. In the context of our exercise, the saponification reaction presented is the hydrolysis of methyl benzoate.

The process of saponification can be thought of as the reverse of ester formation. In the exercise, methyl benzoate is treated with a strong base, sodium hydroxide. This reaction breaks the ester bond, forming sodium benzoate and methanol. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction, using condensed structural formulas, is:
\[\begin{equation}C6H5COOCH3 + NaOH \rightarrow C6H5COONa + CH3OH\end{equation}\]

In industrial settings, saponification is used to produce soap from fats and oils. This reaction is crucial for understanding the chemical basis of cleaning agents and for exploring the versatility of organic compounds in everyday products.

Condensed Structural Formulas

Condensed structural formulas provide a simplified method of writing the structure of a chemical compound that portrays the arrangement of atoms within the molecule without showing all individual bonds. They are particularly useful in organic chemistry to represent large or complex molecules, where drawing every bond would be impractical.

In our textbook solution's chemical equations, the condensed structural formulas present a clear, albeit abbreviated, picture of the reactants and products involved. They offer enough detail to observe the changes taking place without overwhelming with unnecessary intricacy. For example, in ester formation, the condensed formula shows how the functional groups of the starting materials rearrange to form the ester link. Likewise, it is apparent from the saponification equation how the ester bond breaks to yield the soap and alcohol.

Organic Chemistry Reactions

Organic chemistry reactions encompass a vast array of chemical processes involving organic compounds. The reactions often involve the making and breaking of carbon-based bonds and can lead to a wide range of products with diverse chemical properties and uses.

The textbook solutions illustrate two fundamental types of organic reactions: ester formation and saponification. These transformations showcase the reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives and how different kinds of organic reactions—synthesis and hydrolysis—can lead to significantly different products.

Understanding these reactions is crucial for students of organic chemistry as they form the basis of many biological and industrial processes. Grasping the principles of how and why organic molecules interact in the ways that they do can reveal a lot about the nature of organic compounds and their applications in real-world scenarios.