Esterification: Experimental Procedure

Using a pipet, transfer the cooled contents into a centrifuge tube containing water (1 mL) and mix the contents together.  To see the different layers, add saturated NaCl solution (~2 mL).  After the layers are defined, removed the lower aqueous layer and place it in a waste beaker.  To the centrifuge, add saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (~1 mL), mix the solution and remove the lower waste layer.  Repeat this process needs to be done an additional time.   After adding saturated aqueous sodium chloride (~1mL) to the ester, mix thoroughly and remove the lower layer to waste beaker.  From the centrifuge, move the organic layer into a vial and add anhydrous CaCl2 (5 spheres) to remove any remaining water and let stand for five min.  Using a pipet, move the product to a tarred vial and calculate the mass and yield of the product (0.857g, 59.8%).  In addition, perform an infrared spectrometry test and observe the smell coming from the product.