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The Reaction Of A Fischer Esterification Reaction

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In this experiment, a Fischer Esterification reaction was performed with two unknown compounds. The unknown compounds, Acid 2 and Alcohol D, were identified by using the knowledge of the reaction that took place, and the identity of the product that was synthesized. The identification of the product resulted from analysis of IR and NMR spectra. For this experiment, Alcohol D and Acid 2 reacted in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, resulting in a colorless solution with brown layer on top. After washes with sodium bicarbonate and brine, the pale-yellow liquid product was dried and then distilled. Distillation resulted in two colorless fractions, the second of which had a boiling point of 69-70 ˚C. This boiling point is unrealistic for any compound obtained in this experiment, so it was not used in identifying the product. After distillation, both fractions were spectroscopically analyzed. The IR and NMR spectra obtained for both fraction were identical, meaning both fractions contained exactly the same substance. Both fractions also smelled the same, like piña colada, therefore confirming this conclusion. This outcome also meant that the amount of product synthesized was 5.7393 g. For the identification of the product, IR, 13C NMR and 1H NMR spectra were examined, and the product was found to be butyl propionate. In the IR spectrum, RM-11-Bi, five key peaks are observed. These peaks are sp3 hybridized carbons at 2961 cm-1 and 2877 cm-1, an ester at 1737 cm-1, a

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