Synthesis of Esters Laboratory Report

Your laboratory report should include each of the following:

  1. The balanced equation for the reaction used to form methyl benzoate.
  2. A discussion of how Le Chatlier's Principle can be applied to this reaction to optimize yield of the ester product.
  3. Indicate how the procedure described in your laboratory manual makes use of Le Chatlier's principle.
  4. Calculate the theoretical yield for the synthesis of methyl benzoate using the quantities given in your laboratory manual.
  5. Analyze the IR Spectra shown below.

Benzoic Acid

Methanol

Benzoic Acid

(All spectra taken from Spectral Database for Organic Compounds