Question

What is a general formula for an ester?

Answer 1

Esters:

• “Ester is an organic compound that reacts with water to produce alcohols as well as organic/inorganic acids.”
• Esters have the general formula $\mathrm{R}–\mathrm{COO}–\mathrm{R}\prime$, where R may be an alkyl group/an aryl group/ a hydrogen atom, and R′ may be an alkyl group or an aryl group but not a hydrogen atom.

Example:

• Ethyl acetate (ethyl ethanoate) is an ester with the molecular formula ${\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_2$.
• The structure of ethyl acetate is given below: