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2017 O Level Chem P1 Q40 — Organic Chemistry / Esters Solution

Organic Chemistry / Esters 2017 O Level Pure Chemistry · Paper 1 · Q40

Question

The reaction between a carboxylic acid, CₓHᵧCO₂H, and an alcohol, CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH, produces an ester. How many hydrogen atoms does one molecule of the ester contain?
  1. Ay + 2n
  2. By + 2n + 1
  3. Cy + 2n + 2
  4. Dy + 2n + 3
Correct answer: B

Video Solution

Explanation

Answer: B. The ester is \(\text{C}_x\text{H}_y\text{CO}_2\text{C}_n\text{H}_{2n+1}\), formed by losing water from the acid and the alcohol. Its hydrogen atoms come from the acid's alkyl group (\(y\)) and the alcohol's alkyl group (\(2n+1\)), giving \(y + 2n + 1\).

As a check, ethanoic acid (\(y = 3\)) with ethanol (\(n = 2\)) gives ethyl ethanoate, \(\text{C}_4\text{H}_8\text{O}_2\), which has 8 hydrogen atoms = \(3 + 4 + 1\).

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