Esterification Of Methyl Cinnamate Lab Report

Esterification is the process of forming ester between an acid and an alcohol. The acid in this process can be an organic acid such as carboxylic acid or an inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid. Using excess acid or alcohol and removing water are the ways to shift the equilibrium towards the products. Using excess acid or removing water distract the equilibrium so that more product forms to make the equilibrium repeatedly. In this lab, carboxylic acid and methanol were used as esterification reaction. Methanol is a good solvent treated with heat because it gives the most rapid reaction and the highest yield. The analytical methods used are melting point, IR, and TLC. Melting point decided with solids and different rf values and IR spectrum was shown due to composition change.

Esterification of methyl cinnamate.

■ RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Esterification Synthesis and Isolation
There were some changes in the amount of solvents and products used. For example, 0.5ml of sulfuric acid was used instead of 20ml.
B. Analysis of Ester
a. Amount
The amount of methyl cinnamate was 1.4g. The percent yield was 1.4/1.52x100= 92%, atom economy was 162.19/148.2=1.09, and reaction efficiency was 0.92/1.09x100= 84%. The percent yield was shown to be less than 100 for several reasons: the reactants are failed to convert to product completely so that reactions are not completed, and it is not purified well. Overall, the result most likely shown to be successful since the percent yield was close to 100%.
b. Aroma
The aroma of methyl cinnamate was like strawberry and fruity and it was consistent.
c. Melting point
The literature value is 34 to 38 °C and the experiment melting point was shown to be 30.5 to 34.4 °C with a range of 3.9. According to the literature value, methyl cinnamate is purified, but not completely because the melting range is not below 2.

d.