last updated Tuesday, November 4, 2003

Meeting #13

1. Referring to the esterification part of the project

a. why is water added to the reaction mixture after the reaction?

b. why is it important that the benzoic acid used in this reaction is as dry as possible?

c. why is sulfuric acid to the mixture? Show appropriate intermediates.

d. why is an excess of methanol used here?

e. What's the function of the sodium bicarbonate in the work-up process?

f. Why is the reaction mixture refluxed?