Write equations for the reaction of propanoic acid with methanol and name any organic products.

This reaction is the formation of an ester because the reactants are a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.
Propanoic acid has 3 carbons and will have the functional group COOH:
CH3CH2COOH
Methanol has 1 carbon and an OH functional group:
CH3OH
So the equation is:
CH3CH2COOH + CH3OH ---> CH3CH2COOCH3 + H2O
The organic product is methyl propanoate because there are 3 carbons before the ester group and 1 carbon after the ester group.

Answered by Bethan H. Chemistry tutor

31309 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What evidence is there for delocalisation in benzene?


When an unsymmetrical alkene undergoes electrophilic addition you often get a major and minor product. What would the major product be when propene reacts with hydrochloric acid? Why is this?


How does a heterogenous catalyst work? (3 marks)


How do I calculate the Gibbs free energy change for a reaction when given the entropy change, enthalpy change and the reaction conditions>


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences