Ethyl propanoate can be prepared by reacting ethanol with propanoic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst:
CH3CH2OH+CH3CH2COOH⇌CH3CH2COOCH2CH3+H2O \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \rightleftharpoons \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOCH}_2\text{CH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} CH3CH2OH+CH3CH2COOH⇌CH3CH2COOCH2CH3+H2OSince the reaction mixture contains highly volatile and flammable compounds, suggest how the mixture should be heated safely without using a direct naked flame.
During purification, the reaction mixture is transferred to a separating funnel and shaken with aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate. Explain why the student must periodically open the tap of the inverted separating funnel.
A student reacts 12.0 cm312.0\text{ cm}^312.0 cm3 of ethanol (Mr=46.0M_r = 46.0Mr=46.0) with 11.1 g11.1\text{ g}11.1 g of propanoic acid (Mr=74.0M_r = 74.0Mr=74.0) and obtains 9.18 g9.18\text{ g}9.18 g of ethyl propanoate (Mr=102.0M_r = 102.0Mr=102.0). The density of ethanol is 0.79 g cm−30.79\text{ g cm}^{-3}0.79 g cm−3.
Determine the limiting reagent. Show your working.
Calculate the percentage yield of ethyl propanoate.
Suggest one reason why the actual yield of ethyl propanoate is less than 100%100\%100%.
