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Synthesis Of Isopently Acetate ( Banana Oil )

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Synthesis of Isopently Acetate (Banana Oil)
Deborah Nyabando
CHEM 2311
TA: Nicholas Serratore
February 20, 2014

Purpose:
The purpose of doing this experiment was to prepare isopently acetate, an ester that has a pleasant smell like that of bananas from isopently alcohol and acetic acid by the Fischer esterification reaction. Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst. Water, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium chloride were used to extract any impurities from the product. Simple distillation was then used to purify the ester product farther.
Reaction Scheme:

Mechanism: Procedure
8.5 mL of acetic acid and 5.0 g (6.2 mL) of isopently alcohol were measured out and added into a 50-mL round bottomed flask. A few boiling stones were added to the flask and then 1.2 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid was added to the mixture under the fume hood. The reflux apparatus was set up- a condenser mounted vertically onto the reaction flask and two hoses attached to it. The water was to flow into the condenser through the bottom inlet and out throught the top outlet. A heating mantle was placed under the reaction flusk and the mixture was let to heat to boiling and reflux for sixty minutes. After the reflux period, the reaction flask was let to cool down and its contents were then transferred to a separatory funnel. 10 mL of water was added to the mixture, funnel was closed with a stopper and carefully shook while venting to wash out the mixture. The equous (lower) layer was drained off,

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