Condensation Of Sulfuric Acid Lab Report

The purpose of this lab was to perform the condensation of acetic acid with isopentyl alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid. Isopentyl acetate was formed from this reaction and this compound has the distinct smell of bananas. This reaction is known as Fisher Esterification. From the final product, the final mass was used to calculate the percent yield. Finally, the IR spectrum was obtained from the final product in order to determine if the reaction went to completion or not. To a 5mL conical vial with a magnetic stir bar was added 0.8mL isopentyl alcohol, 1.6 mL glacial acetic acid, and 5 drops of sulfuric acid. This vial was connected to a condenser. The vial was heated to reflux for 50 minutes. The time was taken once the solution began to reflux. The solution remained colorless liquid after it refluxed for 50 minutes. In addition, the reaction had a slightly odor to the bananas. Once the vial was cooled to room temperature, the vial was placed in an ice bath for 3 minutes. After, 1.0mL of ether was added to the vial and the volume was adjusted to …show more content…
From the reaction, only 0.654 g (68.34 % yield) of isopentyl acetate was obtained. Different factors could affect the decreasing of the percent yield. During the extractions of the aqueous layer, it was possible that some of the desired product was extracted with the aqueous layer. In addition, some product remained in the drying column when the organic layer was passed through it. Finally, it was possible that final product evaporated because the hot plate was above 80°C. Even though some mass was lost during the process, the IR spectrum showed that reaction when to completion because it showed the absence of the starting material. There was no O-H peak around 3650-3200 which is part of the starting material. Indeed, the IR spectrum showed a peak at 1738.28cm-1 which shows the presence of the final product (Isopentyl acetate). In addition, the IR showed peaks