organic liquid
Introduction
Ethyl ethanoate is an ester, which is an organic compound. Esters are created when an acid and an
alcohol react together – usually with water removed, too. They tend to smell fruity and are typical
ingredients in perfumes and flavourings (Solventis, 2022).
The aim of the following practical is to skilfully prepare ethyl ethanoate using a traditional
esterification process. We'll begin by refluxing a mixture of glacial acetic acid and ethanol in the
presence of sulfuric acid to initiate the process. Following the reflux, we will neutralise any excess
acid and then separate the crude organic liquid. To assure purity, the mixture will be dried to get
rid of excess water, and the ethyl ethanoate will be distilled while carefully monitoring the
temperature range to properly determine its boiling point. Finally, we'll calculate the ester's %
yield to determine how efficient our procedure was. This comprehensive strategy will not only
produce ethyl ethanoate but will also improve our understanding of organic synthesis and
separation methods (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
Ethyl ethanoate is produced industrially using a scaled-up esterification procedure. The primary
components used are ethanol and acetic acid. These reactants are continuously delivered into a
reactor, which uses sulfuric acid as a catalyst to increase the reaction rate. The process is carried
out under regulated conditions to maximise the yield and purity of the ethyl ethanoate produced
(Studocu, 2024).
In industry, the production of ethyl ethanoate happens by the use of many important phases and
apparatus. First, under reflux setup, this reaction is initiated using its esterification. Reflux
apparatus usually contains a round-bottom flask, condenser, and a heating source. This happens
by heating the round-bottom flask with a heating source and adding a catalyst, such as sulfuric
acid, to the mixture of acetic acid and ethanol heating above its boiling point. Then, when it boils,
the vapours condense and return to the flask, allowing the reaction to take place for more time.
Afterward, distillation takes place. Ethyl ethanoate separation and purification can be extracted
from the reaction mixture by use of a distillation device, either through basic distillation setup or
fractional distillation column. The ethyl ester is then collected as the product.
Fractional distillation is largely applied to isolate and purify. This is a process through which a
fractionating column is used, which creates several vaporization-condensation cycles, in which
greater separation is attained between components depending upon their boiling points (Doc
Brown, 2024).
(Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).