In this experiment, 0.928 g of 3-methylbutyl propanoate were synthesized via a reaction between 0.973 mL of propanoic acid and 1.194 mL of 3-methyl-1-butanol. Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst. The percent yield of the product is 58.51%. The 3-methylbutyl propanoate was purified and the identity confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (IR). The measured IR had a peak of 1751.361cmwhich confirms the ester although the value is slightly high. The IR also had peaks of 2980.02 1cm and 2873.94 1cmwhich indicate an alkyl CH stretch. 3-methylbutyl propanoate is an ester with a carbon chain and so these results are consistent with the product. The reactants, propanoic acid, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and sulfuric acid are all refluxed and the product of this distilled to ensure that the product is as pure as possible. There was also a peak of 3552.88 1cm which was an abnormal OH stretch and signifies that too much 3-methyl-1-butanol was added to the original mixture that did not evaporate during the reflux period, making the product impure. An electric pipet may have helped to eliminate measurement mistakes and prevent this abnormality.
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