Solid Alcohol and Esterification Lab Activity

Synthesize Chemical Substances Normally Found in Nature

Create a bridge from organic chemical concepts to their practical applications. At the beginning of the lab, students make their own heating unit. Then they’ll ignite a solid alcohol to provide energy for synthesizing three different esters. Students will produce ethyl acetate, methyl salicylate (oil of winter green), and amyl acetate (banana oil). They’ll also create a molecular model of ethyl acetate using molecular model parts.