Esterification

          In this experiment, the goal was to synthesize 3-methylbutyl acetate and utilize several characterization methods to verify the successful formation of the product. The reaction was performed via esterification, using acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol as reagents and sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The odor of acetic acid resembled that of vinegar, while the odor of 3-methyl-1-butanol resembled an artificial sour apple smell. The odor of the product, 3-methylbutyl acetate, resembled an artificial banana smell. This indicates that the product was successfully synthesized because 3-methylbutyl acetate is known informally as banana oil. The percent yield of the product was 84.42%. The low yield could have been a result of transfer loss from some product remaining in the reflux column. A sample of the product was used to allow for further identification via IR spectroscopy. The IR displayed an alkyl C-H stretch at 2959.90 cm-1 and a C=O stretch at 1741.80 cm-1, as well as no large absorptions above 3000 cm-1, indicating that there are no O-H containing impurities. These experimental data are consistent with the known  IR spectrum of a typical alkyl ester, which is characterized by an alkyl C-H stretch that is just to the right of 3000 cm-1 and a C=O stretch that is at about 1750 cm-1. This supports the conclusion that 3-methylbutyl acetate was successfully synthesized.