[forumz]

Hello,

In class, we added glacial acetic acid to amyl alcohol, then sulfuric acid.  Before heating, it had the distinct smell of permanant marker.  After heating, it smelled of banannas.  What role did the hot water bath (65 Degrees Celcius) and the Sulfuric acid play in the reaction?

Thanks you in advance.

[Borek]

Please read forum rules. Then use Google.

[Yggdrasil]

For the role of sulfuric acid read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer_esterification

Sulfuric acid also helps by destroying water.  How would the presence of water negatively affect your yield?

For the role of the hot water bath, think of how temperature affects reaction rates.

[forumz]

Than you VERY much Yggdrasil!  You've been a greaat help to us.
(Borek , We did search google, quite thuroughly, although we were looking in the wrong direction.  Yggdrasil just pointed us and now we're on our way to completion:))