Esterification Lab: What can I synthesize of interest?
 

We are doing a lab at school with esterfication. We have at our disposal:

Acids:
acetic
formic
maleic
tartaric
citric
benzoic
salicylic

Alcohols
i-propyl
octyl
i-pentyl
methanol
butanol-2
butanol-1
propanol-2
n-propyl
ethanol

We will be synthesizing the ester of our choice from these. I have found there is little reference for most of the compounds that can be formed. Could someone post other esters of interests that can be formed from these combinations. So far, I have found:

propyl ethanoate- pear
pentyl ethanate- banana
ethyl butanoate- pineapple
methyl salicylate- wintergreen
pentyl butanoate- apricot/strawberry
octyl acetate- oranges
octyl salicylate- used for sunscreen?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I'm not sure what it is you are asking. Are you asking for more interesting esters, or are you looking for recipes to make the esters you listed, or both?

I am asking for more interesting esters.

please explain to me :

WHAT IS AN INTERESTING ESTER?

strange thing to me :wink: