[nisharajey]

Synthesis of n-Propyl Propanoate - we distilled/refluxed

Use a graduated cylinder to add the
following pure liquids to a 200 mL distillation
flask:
 19.0 mL of n-propanol (0.25 mol)
 18.5 mL of propanoic acid (0.25 mol)
 Carefully add 5 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid and 2-4 boiling chips.



My questions:

What would the % yield of ester be if the reaction were simply allowed to equilibrate (i.e. no products are removed)?


Compare your experimental % yield of n-propyl propanoate to the predicted equilibrium yield. Were you successful in driving the reaction to the right?



My Data:

Volume of water collected: 4ml
Wt. of Flask + Product: 96.33
Wt. of Flask: 78.21
Wt. of product: 18.12

Equilibrium constant: approx 3

[sjb]

What are your thoughts?

[nisharajey]

Im not sure. Thats why I asked. I know you have to use the equilibrium constant but I'm not sure how to start.

[Borek]

Why don't you start from the very beginning: write the reaction equation and the formula for K.

That's actually what you should do very time you see a question about equilibrium.