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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2006  > June  >
In the Laboratory
A Simple Combinatorial Experiment Based on Fischer Esterification. An Experiment Suitable for the First-Semester Organic Chemistry Lab
Peter A. Wade, Susan A. Rutkowsky, and Daniel B. King
Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Cover
June 2006
Vol. 83 No. 6
p. 927
Abstract
A combinatorial experiment for the synthesis of esters by Fischer esterification is described. A total of eight esters are prepared as six mixtures. Deconvolution of the mixtures is performed by smell, the presence of methyl salicylate (wintergreen) being easily determined in the presence of other esters. Confirmation of the deconvolution results is obtained by GC analysis. Also demonstrated is the difference in Keq for the formation of different esters. The experiment is simple, chemicals are inexpensive, and one, three-hour lab period (or two, two-hour lab periods) is sufficient.
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Instructions for the students and notes for the instructor are available.
*  Contents JCE2006p0927W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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*  Citation
 Wade, Peter A.; Rutkowsky, Susan A.; King, Daniel B. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 927.
*  Keywords
 Alcohols; Carboxylic Acids; Combinatorial Chemistry; Equilibrium; Esters; Gas Chromatography; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; Laboratory Instruction; Organic Chemistry; Second-Year Undergraduate; Synthesis
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 4/24/2006
4/25/2006
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