Subject: P.T. Expt.

No:7

EXPERIMENT NO. 7
MANUFACTURING OF BUTYL ACETATE BY ESTERIFICATION REACTION

1.0 Aim of Experiment:

To manufacture butyl acetate ester.
2.0 Context:
Subject: Petrochemical Technology.
2.1 Chapter:
Unit process in refineries.
2.2 Topic:
Esterification
3.0 Prior Concepts:
Carboxylic derivatives, types of esters.
4.0 New Concept:
Butyl Ester production method.
5.0 Learning Objectives:
Manufacture Butyl Acetate Ester by Esterification process.

5.1 Theory:
Esters are derivatives of carboxylic acid. Esterification of carboxylic acid is
done with the alcohol in presence of sulphuric acid. Esterification reaction is one of the
most important industrial reactions. Esters are widely used in chemical industry such as a
solvent for plastics, liquors, resins, gums, and coatings. Butyl acetate is commonly
synthesized through esterification of acetic acid with n -butanol in the presence of a
suitable acid catalyst by reversible and kinetically controlled reaction. Esters are a class
of organic compounds which, unlike many organics, have pleasant odors. In fact, many
of the "artificial flavors" used in food products are esters - very pure esters. Esters occur
naturally but can also be synthesized in the lab. To synthesize an ester, you must start
with two other organic compounds - an alcohol and an acid. The ester is formed when
dehydration occurs. The alcohol and acid react to form the ester and a water molecule.
5.2 Reaction:

Chemical Engineering Dept., P.V.P.I.T., Budhgaon.

 Subject: P.T. Expt.
No:7

OH
O H +
O H+ H
H2
+ + C C OH
C
C +
H3C OH H3C O H
H3C O H
H3C O H
CH2
H3C

H H H
O O+ OH
+
O
H2O + C OH
C C H+
C OH
H3C O H3C O H3C O
H3C O
CH2 CH2 CH2
H3C H3C CH2 H3C
H3C

Some esters that can be synthesized include methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen),
isoamyl butyrate (pear), isoamyl acetate (banana), ethyl acetate (fruity), and ethyl
salicylate (sweet smell).

6.0 Apparatus:
Two necked round bottom flask, condenser, weigh balance, thermometer, separating
funnel, heating mantle.
6.1 Reagents:
Glacial acetic acid, butyl alcohol, sulphuric acid.
7.0 Stepwise Procedure:
1) Place a mixture of 1mole i.e 60 gm glacial acetic acid and 2 moles i.e 148 gm of
butyl alcohol solution in round bottom flask and add 4-5 drops of sulphuric acid as
catalyst.
2) Attatch a reflux condenser to flask and heat the flask with total reflux using
heating mantle.
3) Add peaces of porcelein tiles to avoid bumping and overheating of the mixture
and
temperature should be maintained at 65 °C for 1 hour.

Chemical Engineering Dept., P.V.P.I.T., Budhgaon.

 Subject: P.T. Expt.
No:7

4) After 1 hour stop the heating and cool the mixture at ambient temperature.
5) Cooled mixture is transfer in separating funnel and add 50 ml water in it to separate
the ester layer at bottom and unreacted acid and alcohol layer at top.
6) Collect the butyl ester in beaker measure its volume, weight and density and also smell
and colour of ester.

8.0 Observations:
1. Weight of Butyl ester = ……..gm
2. Volume of Buytl ester = ….....ml
3. Density of Butyl ester = ……..gm/ml
4. Smell and colour of butyl ester = ……………………………………

9.0 Result and Conclusion:

Esterification is to be done with butyl alcohol and acetic acid in presence of sulphuric
acid catalyst and the amount of butyl ester produced is ……….gm.

Chemical Engineering Dept., P.V.P.I.T., Budhgaon.