Answer to Question #125788 in Organic Chemistry for somaya

Question

Amy is considering embarking on a business that sells scented oils.  She would like to create a “fruity” scent, and she has found out from her friend Ryan in Grade 12 U Chemistry, that methylpropyl methanoate will produce this particular odour.   What two reactants would Ryan need to obtain to help Amy create this fruity scent?  Write the chemical equation for such a reaction, including the chemical structures and names of the reactants and the products.  Don’t forget to include necessary reaction conditions if applicable. [4 marks]

Answer 1

Isobutyl formate(2-methyl people methanoate) is an organic ester with the chemical formula C₅H₁₀O₂.

It is formed by Fischer esterification of isobutanol with HCOOH, with the aid of an acid catalyst such as sulphuric acid.

Structure of isobutyl formate

HCOCH₂CH(CH₃)₂

Reaction

HCOOH + (CH₃)₂CHCH₂OH $\implies$ HCOOCH₂CH(CH₃)₂

Isobutylformate

Above reaction is acid catalysed.