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Chemistry HSC HSC Practice Question 1b – Investigate the production

Q1b Chemistry Investigate the production Module 7 - Outcome 5

A student group attempts to prepare the ester methyl ethanoate (a sweet-smelling liquid) in a school laboratory by heating a mixture of ethanoic acid and methanol with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. After heating under reflux for 10 minutes, the mixture is poured into a separating funnel containing 25.0 mL of saturated sodium carbonate solution. The funnel is gently swirled and vented several times. The mixture separates into two layers.

Data:

  • Ethanoic acid: \(\mathrm{CH_3COOH}\) (density 1.05 g mL\(^{-1}\), \(M=60.0\) g mol\(^{-1}\))
  • Methanol: \(\mathrm{CH_3OH}\) (density 0.792 g mL\(^{-1}\), \(M=32.0\) g mol\(^{-1}\))
  • Methyl ethanoate: \(\mathrm{CH_3COOCH_3}\) (density 0.93 g mL\(^{-1}\), \(M=74.0\) g mol\(^{-1}\), limited solubility in water)
  • Water: density 1.00 g mL\(^{-1}\)
  • Initial volumes used: 6.0 mL ethanoic acid and 8.0 mL methanol
  • The esterification is reversible and does not go to completion.

Assume all liquids are immiscible enough to form two layers after mixing with the sodium carbonate solution.

Question 1b

4 marks

Calculate the amount (in mol) of each reactant initially present and identify the limiting reagent for the forward reaction if it were to go to completion.

Your Answer

0 words

About This Chemistry Question

This is a free HSC HSC Chemistry practice question worth 4 marks, testing your understanding of Investigate the production. It falls under Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases in Module 7: Module 7: Organic Chemistry. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.

Subject
Chemistry – Higher School Certificate (NSW) HSC
Module 7
Module 7: Organic Chemistry
Outcome 5
Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases
Content Point
Investigate the production

Module 7 Overview

Students focus on the principles and applications of chemical synthesis in the field of organic chemistry. Current and future applications of chemistry include techniques to synthesise new substances – including pharmaceuticals, fuels and polymers – to meet the needs of society. Each class of organic compounds displays characteristic chemical properties and undergoes specific reactions based on the functional groups present. These reactions, including acid/base and oxidation reactions, are used to identify the class of an organic compound. In this module, students investigate the many classes of organic compounds and their characteristic chemical reactions. By considering the primary, secondary and tertiary structures of organic materials, students are provided with opportunities to gain an understanding of the properties of materials – including strength, density and biodegradability – and relate these to proteins, carbohydrates and synthetic polymers.

Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases

Inquiry question: What are the properties of organic acids and bases?

Content Point Detail

investigate the production, in a school laboratory, of simple esters

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