Esterification reaction in Carbon And Its Compounds- Class 10 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Carbon And Its Compounds

Activity Name: Esterification reaction in Carbon And Its Compounds

Activity Description:

Required Items:

1. 1 ml of ethanol (absolute alcohol)
2. 1 ml of glacial acetic acid
3. Few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid
4. Water-bath or a beaker containing water
5. Test tube
6. Beaker containing 20-50 ml of water

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Take 1 ml of ethanol and 1 ml of glacial acetic acid in a test tube.
2. Add a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid to the test tube.
3. Warm the test tube in a water-bath or a beaker containing water for at least five minutes.
4. Pour the warm contents of the test tube into a beaker containing 20-50 ml of water.
5. Observe the odor of the resulting mixture.

Experiment Observations:

• The resulting mixture will have a sweet odor, which is characteristic of ethyl acetate, an ester.

Precautions:

1. Handle concentrated sulfuric acid with care, as it is a corrosive and dangerous substance.
2. Perform the experiment in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any harmful vapors.
3. Be cautious while handling the hot test tube to prevent burns or accidents.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

This experiment demonstrates the esterification reaction, where an alcohol (ethanol) reacts with a carboxylic acid (glacial acetic acid) in the presence of a catalyst (concentrated sulfuric acid) to form an ester (ethyl acetate). Esterification is an essential chemical reaction used to produce various esters, which are commonly found in many natural and synthetic fragrances, flavors, and other organic compounds.