ester
Sign in to save130px|thumb|An ester of a carboxylic acid. R stands for [[hydrogen, halogen or organyl and R stands for any organyl group.]] In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid (either organic or inorganic) in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group () of that acid is replaced by an organyl group (R). These compounds contain a distinctive functional group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well (e.g. amides
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An ester is a chemical compound formed when the hydrogen atom in an acid is replaced by an organic group, creating a molecule with a distinctive structure. Esters are important because they occur widely in nature and industry—for example, they make up fats and oils, and they're used in fragrances, plastics, and many other everyday products.
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Article
31 sectionsContents
- Nomenclature
- Etymology
- IUPAC nomenclature
- Orthoesters
- Esters of inorganic acids
- Structure and bonding
- Physical properties and characterization
- Characterization and analysis
- Applications and occurrence
- Preparation
- Esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols
- Esterification of carboxylic acids with epoxides
- Alcoholysis of acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides
- Alkylation of carboxylic acids and their salts
- Transesterification
- Carbonylation
- Addition of carboxylic acids to alkenes and alkynes
- From aldehydes
- Other methods
- Reactions
- Transesterification
- Hydrolysis and saponification
- Reduction
- Claisen condensation and related reactions
- Other ester reactivities
- Other reactions
- Protecting groups
- List of ester odorants
- See also
- References
- External links
130px|thumb|An ester of a carboxylic acid. R stands for [[hydrogen, halogen or organyl and R stands for any organyl group.]] In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid (either organic or inorganic) in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group () of that acid is replaced by an organyl group (R). These compounds contain a distinctive functional group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well (e.g. amides), but not according to the IUPAC.
Glycerides are fatty acid esters of glycerol; they are important in biology, being one of the main classes of lipids and comprising the bulk of animal fats and vegetable oils. Lactones are cyclic carboxylic esters; naturally occurring lactones are mainly 5- and 6-membered ring lactones. Lactones contribute to the aroma of fruits, butter, cheese, vegetables like celery and other foods.