Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition

Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook

Brown 14th Edition

Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry

Problem 50a

Chapter 24, Problem 50a

Draw the condensed structure of the compounds formed by condensation reactions between
a. butanoic acid and methanol
Name the compound in each case.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the functional groups in the reactants: Butanoic acid contains a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and methanol contains an alcohol group (-OH).

Understand the mechanism of a condensation reaction: In this case, it involves the formation of an ester linkage. The -OH from the carboxylic acid group of butanoic acid will react with the -H from the -OH group of methanol, releasing a molecule of water (H2O).

Write the structural formula for both reactants: Butanoic acid is CH3CH2CH2COOH and methanol is CH3OH.

Combine the reactants to form the ester: Remove water (H2O) from the reactants and link the remaining parts. The oxygen from the methanol attaches to the carbonyl carbon of butanoic acid.

Name the resulting compound: The ester formed from butanoic acid and methanol is called methyl butanoate, following the nomenclature rules for esters (alkyl group from alcohol + name of acid with 'ic' replaced by 'ate').

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Condensation Reactions

Condensation reactions involve the combination of two molecules to form a larger molecule, accompanied by the loss of a small molecule, often water. In organic chemistry, these reactions frequently occur between carboxylic acids and alcohols, resulting in the formation of esters. Understanding this process is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction between butanoic acid and methanol.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In this case, butanoic acid contains a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), while methanol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH). Recognizing these functional groups helps in identifying the nature of the reaction and the resulting compound.

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method for naming chemical compounds based on their structure and functional groups. For the product formed from butanoic acid and methanol, the name will reflect the ester formed, which is butyl butanoate. Familiarity with IUPAC rules is essential for accurately naming the compounds resulting from chemical reactions.

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