esters

[tamara]

for a chem lab im suppossed to add vinegar, ethyl alcohol, and sulfuric acid in a test tube and heat it then repeat the same thing w/ methyl alcohol

i know i creates the esters ethyl acetate and methyl acetate (or i think it does) but what are they supossed to smell like?

[RobJim]

Chemfinder.com says they both smell fruity. Other than that I have no idea. Sorry!

[hemispheredancer]

Most labs have ethylacetate around as a common solvent. I dont know if I would call it fruity smelling, Possibly sweet smelling. They do have a distictive scent and you should be able to compare.

[Mitch]

Ah..., yes. The sweet smell of ethylacetate in the morning.

[mamqupa]

TAMARA THE ESTERIFICTION REACTION ARE REVERSE REACTIONS AND NOT COMP. AND MUST REFLEX AND DROW ONE OF PRODUCT OR THE SMELL OF ACETIC ACID WAS APEARE