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Ch.21 - Organic Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 80d

Draw the structure of each carboxylic acid or ester.
d. butyl ethanoate

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1
Identify the functional group of an ester, which is characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) adjacent to an ether linkage (O-C).
Recognize that butyl ethanoate is an ester, where 'butyl' refers to the alkyl group derived from butanol (C4H9) and 'ethanoate' refers to the acyl group derived from ethanoic acid (CH3COO-).
Draw the ethanoate part of the ester, which consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to an oxygen atom (O) that is further bonded to the alkyl group.
Attach the butyl group (C4H9) to the oxygen atom of the ethanoate group, completing the ester structure.
Ensure the structure reflects the correct connectivity: CH3COO-C4H9, where the carbonyl carbon is bonded to the oxygen of the butyl group.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). This functional group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). Carboxylic acids are known for their acidic properties and are commonly found in various natural substances, such as vinegar (acetic acid).
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Esters

Esters are organic compounds formed from the reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, resulting in the replacement of the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the acid with an alkoxy group (-O-R). They are typically characterized by their pleasant fragrances and are commonly used in flavorings and fragrances. The general structure of an ester can be represented as RCOOR', where R and R' are hydrocarbon chains.
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Butyl Ethanoate Structure

Butyl ethanoate, also known as butyl acetate, is an ester formed from butanol and acetic acid. Its structure consists of a butyl group (C4H9) attached to the carbonyl carbon of the ethanoate (acetate) group (C2H3O2). The molecular formula for butyl ethanoate is C6H12O2, and its structural representation includes a carbon chain from the butyl group linked to the carbonyl and oxygen of the acetate group.
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