Lab 14: Create a Smell Lab: Ester Synthesis

Introduction/Purpose: Scientists in the lab often try to produce specific compounds through a process called synthesis. In synthesis, chemists produce a chemical compound from two simpler compounds. For our lab, we combined different acids with alcohol to synthesize three esters with various smells and analyze the products of this chemical change.

Tubes After Heating:

Data:

Analysis Questions:

Compare the odors of the three mixtures after heating compared to the odors of the starting materials. How are they different?

Before heating, two of the three mixtures, with isopenthyl and ethyl alcohol, smelled rather pungent, like vinegar. However, after heating, the putrid smells of these two mixtures became much more pleasant and familiar. The strength of the scent sometimes became stronger after heating; we could actually pinpoint the scent methyl alcohol solution after heating it. 

Based on the smell of the mixtures after heating, what functional group must be present in the molecules that were produced? Draw it.

The smells of all three mixtures had a hint of sweetness. Also, surprisingly, nail polish is considered to have a sweet smell, so we determined the functional group present to be ester.

Drawing of the functional group Ester:

Were the new compounds easily identified as a specific fragrance like apple or banana? In the case where a specific fragrance was detected, how does the odor compare to the natural fragrance?

The odor of the compounds after heating were not easily identified, as we could only faintly discern what they were. Even when discernible, the scents smelled artificial. 

Challenge Question: