Derivatives of Carboxylic Acids Results and Discussion Summary: In this lab, we used Fischer esterification and distillation to synthesize, isolate, and characterize an ester from benzoic acid and methanol. We also observed the reaction of benzoyl hl le with water and ammonium chloride. Fischer esterification is where a protonated carboxylic acid experiences a nucleophilic attack and forms an intermediate that reacts with water to form an ester. Normally, this lab would take place over the course of two weeks, however, we performed the experiment all at once. Results: In part A of the experiment, we used 3.059g of benzoic acid and 7mL of methanol to synthesize ‘methyl benzoate and washed the solution sequentially (removing the aqueous layer after every wash) with 12mL dichloromethane, 8mL of water, two 8mL portions of 10% sodium bicarbonate solution, and 8mL of sodium chloride solution. Next, we purified our dry dichloromethane solution through simple distillation. The dichloromethane began distilling around 38°C and our ‘methyl benzoate product was collected at 113°C. We then obtained an IR spectrum of our purified methyl benzoate. The peak at 2952.22 a C-H alkene bond, the peaks between 1600-1400 represent aromatic C=C bonds, and the peak at 1718.47 represents a C=O bond. Starting Mass | Benzoic Acid | Benzoic Acid _| Benzamide Benzamide of Benzoic Acid | Mass Melting Point | Mass Melting Point 3.0593 O.115g 119-123°C 0.6003 126.5°C In part B of the experiment, we made a solution of benzoyl chloride and water to then collect benzoic acid through vacuum filtration, Our collected benzoic acid was measured to be 0.115g with a melting point range of 119-123°C. We also made a solution of ImL benzoyl chloride and SmL ammonium hydroxide to then collect benzamide through vacuum filtration. Our collected °C. benzamide measured to be 0,600g with a melting point of 126.Errors: An error that occurred during our experiment was spilling our dichloromethane layer before the simple distillation. This error resulted in having less dichloromethane to begin with and thus our yield was smaller than it ideally should've been, Another error that occurred was our thermocouple unable to reach the desired spot in the distillation head because of a missing piece. This resulted in our temperature never reaching the 195°C we were intended to so we had to stop our distillation before it completely dried out. Conclusion: In conclusion, our experiment was a success. We met our objectives of synthesizing and purifying methyl benzoate. Although some errors, occurred we were still able to successfully isolate the methyl benzoate from the dichloromethane.