Esterification and IR Spectroscopy Results #2

N-propyl propanoate (n-propyl propionate) was synthesized using propanoic acid and 1-propanol in the presence of sulfuric acid, resulting in a 62.5 % yield. The initial odor of the mixture of propanoic acid and 1-propanol was very unpleasant and strong. After the reaction was complete, the odor was like that of rubbing alcohol (Table 1). IR spectroscopy was used to determine the purity and identity of the product.