Ester - Structure, Uses

What is ester?

The first thing that we need to do is understand what is Ester? Well, to answer that question, according to the common definition, It is basically a chemical compound that is derived from an organic or inorganic acid in which at least hydroxyl (-OH) group is replaced by an alkyl (-O-) group. To put it in simple terms, esters are the group of chemical compounds which are formed by bonding of an alcohol group with a group of organic acids, by losing water molecules.

Esters are also usually derived from carboxylic acids. It may also be obtained by reaction of acid anhydrides or acid halides with alcohols or by the reaction of salts of carboxylic acids with alkyl halides.


Formation of ester

What is Esterification?

This is another term that we need to learn and understand this topic. Esterification is a process or a general name for a chemical reaction, in which two reactants (alcohol and an acid) form an ester as the reaction product. The formula for carboxylic acid esters is RCOOR’ (where R and R’ are any organic combining groups) that are prepared again by the reaction of alcohols and carboxylic acids in the presence of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid is done by this process. Through this process, we basically learn about the formation of esters.

To give you an example of an ester, we can talk about ethyl ethanoate. Here, the hydrogen in the -COOH group is replaced by an ethyl group. You can find the ethyl ethanoate formula below:


Structure of Ethyl Ethanoate

In this case, the ester is usually named in the opposite way around from the way the formula is written. In this case, “ethanoate” part comes from ethanoic acid and the “ethyl” part comes from the ethyl group on the end.

Structure of Ester

Esters feature a carbon-to-oxygen double bond that is also singly bonded to a second oxygen atom. The oxygen atom is further connected to an aryl or an alkyl group. They come in all shapes and sizes. They can have a form as small as that of allyl hexanoate like pineapple odour or as large as a long-chain triglyceride, like soybean oil.

Ethyl Acetate

Ethyl Acetate

Structure of Ethyl Acetate

Methyl Butyrate

Methyl Butyrate

Methyl Butyrate Structure

Interestingly, esters can also be split back to alcohols and carboxylic acids by the action of water, dilute acid or dilute alkali. This process is known as ester hydrolysis.

Uses of Esters

It is a sweet-smelling substance. Some of them are used as food flavourings and other esters are used as fragrances or perfumes. Apart from that, they can be turned into polymers dubbed as polyesters which can be used to make cans or plastic bottles.

Here are some of the other users of esters:

  • Esters that have fragrant odours are used as a constituent of perfumes, essential oils, food flavourings, cosmetics, etc
  • It is used as an organic solvent
  • Natural esters are found in pheromones.
  • Naturally occurring fats and oils are fatty acid esters of glycerol.
  • Nitrate esters, such as nitroglycerin, are used in explosive materials.
  • Polyesters can be further converted into fibres to make clothing.
  • It is used to make surfactants E.g. soap, detergents.

Also Read: Transesterification

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Frequently asked questions

Give one example of ester.

Methyl butanoate.

What is the major difference between ester and ether?

Ester possesses a carbon-carbonyl-oxygen bond, whereas ether possesses a carbon-oxygen-carbon bond.

Esters have a fruity smell. True or false?


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