Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for
a. the formation of butyl propionate from the appropriate acid and alcohol

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the components of butyl propionate, which include butyl (from butanol) and propionate (from propionic acid).
2. Write the condensed structural formulas for butanol (C4H9OH) and propionic acid (C2H5COOH).
3. Combine the alcohol (butanol) and the acid (propionic acid) in a reaction setup, indicating the formation of an ester and water in an esterification reaction.
4. Remove water (H2O) from the combined structure of butanol and propionic acid to form the ester linkage (-COO-).
5. Write the final balanced chemical equation showing butyl propionate (C2H5COOC4H9) as the product, along with water as a byproduct.

Key Concepts

Condensed Structural Formulas

Condensed structural formulas provide a simplified representation of a molecule's structure, showing how atoms are connected without depicting all bonds explicitly. In these formulas, groups of atoms are often grouped together to reflect their connectivity, making it easier to visualize the molecular structure. For example, butyl propionate can be represented as C4H9COOCH2CH(CH3)2, indicating the butyl and propionate components.

Esterification Reaction

Esterification is a chemical reaction that forms an ester from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, typically involving the elimination of water. This reaction is a key process in organic chemistry, often catalyzed by an acid. In the case of butyl propionate, butanol reacts with propanoic acid to form the ester, highlighting the importance of understanding reactants and products in such transformations.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is essential to ensure that the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning the number of atoms for each element must be the same on both sides of the equation. This involves adjusting coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to achieve balance. For the formation of butyl propionate, one must account for all atoms involved in the reactants and products to write a correct and balanced equation.