lab discussion

Isopentyl acetate was synthesized in a 35.31% yield from isopentyl alcohol, acetic acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. The mixture of reactants was observed to have a putrid smell whilst the final product had a smell similar to that of bananas. There was also change in color from scarlet reactants to a brown product. These qualitative observations signal the occurrence of a chemical change. The identity and purity of final product was analyzed using IR spectroscopy. The IR spectrum of the final product showed peaks that were characteristic of an ester. A broad peak at 2960 cm^-1 shows the presence of an sp³ hybridized C-H bond. This type of bond is usually seen between 3300 and 2700 cm^-1. There is another large peak on the IR spectrum at 1743 cm^-1 which indicates a C=O bond or a carbonyl. This type of bond is usually seen between 1780 and 1650 cm^-1. These two peaks on their own could indicate the presence of a carboxylic acid or an ester, both of which have sp³ hybridized bonds and a carbonyl group. However, the lack of a broad peak between 3650 and 3200 cm^-1 shows that the final product is not a carboxylic acid because it does not contain a hydroxyl group. In addition, the IR spectrum of the final product shows a large peak at 1244 cm^-1, which is in the fingerprint region between 1250 and 1050 cm^-1. This large peak indicates a C-O bond, which is characteristic of an ester.