An acid and an alcohol make an ester

Many fruit and flower smells come from esters. Perfume makers use them too. An ester forms from an acid and an alcohol.

Pick an acid and an alcohol. Read the ester.

The rule

An acid and an alcohol make an ester and water. A little strong acid helps. Many esters smell fruity.

CH₃COOH + CH₃OH → CH₃COOCH₃ + H₂O

An ester is a compound made from an acid and an alcohol. This reaction is esterification. The strong acid is a helper. It is not used up.

An ester has two parents, the acid and the alcohol. The alcohol gives the first word. Methanol gives methyl. The acid gives the second word, ending in -oate. Ethanoic acid gives ethanoate. Methanol and ethanoic acid give methyl ethanoate.