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Making an ester

Ethanoic acid + ethanol, with a catalyst: a fruity smell.

Topic: Organic chemistryGrade: 11Free

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What you do

  1. Add a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid (catalyst).
  2. Warm it in the water bath for a few minutes (×5 helps). Ethanol is flammable: no flame.
  3. Waft the smell.

Safety in a real lab

⚠ Concentrated sulfuric acid is very corrosive.

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