Textbook Question
Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for the saponification (base hydrolysis) of
a. methyl propionate
22. Organic Chemistry
Ester Reactions: Saponification
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Name alcohol formed when the following ester undergoes a saponification reaction.
A
4-methyl-4-butanol
B
2-methyl-4-butanol
C
2-methyl-1-butanol
D
2-methylhexanoate
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ester functional group in the given structure. An ester typically has the structure RCOOR', where R and R' are hydrocarbon chains.
Recognize that saponification is a reaction where an ester is hydrolyzed in the presence of a base, typically resulting in the formation of an alcohol and a carboxylate salt.
Determine the alcohol part of the ester. In the structure provided, the alkyl group attached to the oxygen atom (R') will form the alcohol upon saponification.
Examine the structure to identify the alkyl group attached to the oxygen atom. In this case, the group is 2-methylbutyl, which will form the alcohol 2-methyl-1-butanol.
Conclude that the alcohol formed from the saponification of the ester 2-methylhexanoate is 2-methyl-1-butanol, as the alkyl group attached to the oxygen is 2-methylbutyl.
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