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Chemistry vocabulary · Organic Chemistry

Ester

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

/ˈestə/nounCommon term

In chemistry, ester means: An organic compound formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, with water given off. Many have fruity smells and are used in flavors, perfumes and solvents.

In Turkish: ester

How it is used

A key functional group in organic labs. Its formation is called esterification and the reverse is hydrolysis. Ethyl acetate, a simple ester, is one of the most used lab solvents. Ester names end in '-ate': methyl benzoate.

Example sentences

  1. Heating acetic acid with ethanol and a little sulfuric acid gives the ester ethyl acetate.

  2. The ester smelled strongly of bananas.

Common collocations

  • ester bond
  • ester hydrolysis
  • form an ester
  • methyl ester
  • functional groupA specific group of atoms within a molecule, such as –OH or –COOH, that gives the molecule its typical reactions. Compounds with the same group react in similar ways.
  • organic compoundA compound built mainly from carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, often with oxygen, nitrogen or other elements. Fuels, plastics, drugs and most molecules of living things belong here.
  • chemical equilibriumThe state of a reversible reaction in which the forward and reverse reactions run at the same rate, so the amounts of reactants and products stay constant.
  • acidA substance that releases hydrogen ions (H⁺) in water or, more generally, donates protons. Its water solutions have a pH below 7 and turn blue litmus paper red.

More terms: Organic Chemistry

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