Low Molecular Weight Esters
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Introduction
An ester is a chemical compound derived from an acid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one -OH (hydroxyl group) is replaced by an -O-alkyl (alkoxy group) , as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol and it is generally written RCOOR' or RCO2R'.
Fig 1. Structure of esters
Physical Properties of Esters
Ester molecules are polar but have no hydrogen atom attached directly to an oxygen atom. They are therefore incapable of engaging in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with one another and thus have considerably lower boiling points than their isomeric carboxylic acids counterparts. Because ester molecules can engage in hydrogen bonding with water molecules, however, esters of low molar mass are somewhat soluble in water. Table 1 lists the physical properties of some common esters.
Condensed Structural Formula | Molar Mass | Melting Point | Boiling Point | Aroma |
HCOOCH3 | 60 | -99°C | 32°C | |
HCOOCH2CH3 | 74 | -80°C | 54°C | rum |
CH3COOCH3 | 74 | -98°C | 57°C | |
CH3COOCH2CH3 | 88 | -84°C | 77°C | |
CH3CH2CH2COOCH3 | 102 | -85°C | 102°C | apple |
CH3CH2CH2COOCH2CH3 | 116 | -101°C | 121°C | pineapple |
CH3COO(CH2)4CH3 | 130 | -71°C | 148°C | pear |
CH3COOCH2CH2CH(CH3)2 | 130 | -79°C | 142°C | banana |
CH3COOCH2C6H5 | 150 | -51°C | 215°C | jasmine |
CH3CH2CH2COO(CH2)4CH3 | 158 | -73°C | 185°C | apricot |
CH3COO(CH2)7CH3 | 172 | -39°C | 210°C | orange |
Table 1. Physical properties of some common esters
Esters are ubiquitous. Esters are typically fragrant, and those with low enough molecular weights to be volatile are commonly used as perfumes and are found in essential oils and pheromones. Common esters and their odors are listed below:
Table 2. Tables of esters and their smells
Applications of Low Molecular Weight Esters
- In Personal Care Market
In recent years, there has been a rising demand for esters in the personal care space, where they can stand in for traditional petroleum ingredients. In personal care products, esters can function as emollients, solvents, thickening agents, surfactants and fragrances.
Fig. 2 Application in personal care products
- In Food Market
The food industry has long understood the value of esters and has used, and continues to use, them in a variety of products. Esters can help enhance flavor and are especially useful as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are surfactants, meaning they reduce surface tension between two immiscible liquids, such as water and oil, thereby stabilizing the mixture. Esters can also improve the texture of many food products, including low-fat liquids which may lack enough viscosity without the standard amount of fat.
Fig. 3 Application in food
- In Industry Field
Low molecular weight esters can be used in all areas of industry. For example, low molecular weight esters can be used as potential low-temperature drilling fluids for ice coring.
From the desired-density point of view, ethyl butyrate and n-propyl propionate best meet cold-ice drilling requirements. The viscosities of these two chemicals are the lowest among studied FAEs, and do not exceed 4mPas at temperatures down to –60°C. Both are highly volatile substances and essentially insoluble in water.
Fig. 4 Application in low-temperature drilling fluids for ice coring
Besides, low molecular weight esters can be used in many other fields like pheromones, plastic, photoresist, pharmaceuticals areas, etc.
Alfa Chemistry provides various of low molecular weight esters to our customers from grams to kilograms. We can also customize synthesis according to customers' requirements. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Reference:
- Huiwen XU, Lili HAN, Pinlu CAO, etc. Low-molecular-weight, fatty-acid esters as potential low-temperature drilling fluids for ice coring. Annals of Glaciology. 2014, 55(68):39-43.