Esters, esterification, and hydrolysis

What this note covers

1. Ester structure and systematic naming preserve its origins
2. Esterification is a slow reversible condensation
3. Reflux, extraction and distillation perform different jobs
4. Acidic hydrolysis reverses esterification
5. Alkaline hydrolysis forms a carboxylate and is effectively driven forward
6. Polyesters connect monomer functionality to material properties
7. Ester yield from a limiting alcohol amount
8. Tracing both fragments in alkaline ester hydrolysis

8 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes