General formula of ester with 1 ester linkage is:
is derived form the carboxylic acid which has reacted to form the ester → hence n = 0, 1,2,3 and so on. is derived from the alcohol → which has reacted to form the ester. hence, m = 1, 2,3 so on.
Naming Esters
name of ester contains 2 parts:
when naming ester → identify parts derived from alcohol and carboxylic acid.
count number of carbon atoms in each part to name the ester.
Name an Ester given Structural Formula
| Step | Explaination | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | identify functional group |  since it contains ester functional group, it is an ester |
| 2 | identify part that is derived from alcohol |  hence first part of the name is propyl |
| 3 | identify part that is derived from carboxylic acid |  hence, second part of name is butanoate. therefore name of compound is propyl butanoate. |