Lesson Plan

Lesson : Esters

Aim :

To study the nomenclature and chemical reactions of esters.

Learning Outcomes :

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to :

• give the structural formulae and IUPAC names of esters

• compare the acidic and basic hydrolysis of esters

• predict the reduction products of esters

• state the uses of esters.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with the basic rules in IUPAC nomenclature for alkanes.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 4

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction.
(Ascertaining prior • Teacher to get students to recall that
knowledge and ester is a carboxylic acid derivative.
introducing lesson • Teacher to point out lesson objectives for
topic for the day). the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 4 • Courseware

with the students.

Activity 1 : Nomenclature

Students are taught the nomenclature of

esters.

Activity 2 : Hydrolysis of esters

Students are shown the acidic and basis

hydrolysis of esters to form carboxylic
acids.

Activity 3 : Reduction of esters

Students are shown how esters can be

reduced to primary alcohols using
reducing agents such as sodium metal in
alcohol and lithium aluminium hydride.

Activity 4 : Uses of esters

Students are shown some uses of esters.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to read up reference materials • References

on their own.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 4

Worksheet Answers

1. Nomenclature

1.1 a. O
||
CH3 — CH2 — C — O — CH2 — CH3

b. O
||
C — O — CH2 — CH3

2. Hydrolysis of esters

2.1 Basic hydrolysis of ethyl ethanoate is a complete reaction whereas acidic hydrolysis
is reversible.

2.2 a. C2H5COOH + C2H5OH

b. C2H5COOH + CH2OH

c. C2H5COOK + C2H5OH

d. C2H5COONa + CH2OH

3. Reduction of esters

3.1 a. A = CH3CH2COOCH3

b. B = OH

c. C = COO

3.2 a.
Element C H O
% by mass 54.5 9.1 36.4
54.5 9.1 36.4
Number of 12.0 1.0 16.0
moles = 4.5 = 9.1 = 2.3
4.5 9.1 2.3
Simplest 2.3 2.3 2.3
mole ratio =2 =4 =1

(C2H4O)n = 88.0
[(2 x 12.0) + (4 x 1.0) + (1 x 16.0)]n = 88.0
44n = 88.0 therefore n = 2
Molecular formula of X is C4H8O2.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 4

 b. i.
X = HCOOCH(CH3)2

P = CH3CHCH3

OH

Q = CH3COCH3
NO2

R = CH3  C N  NH NO2

CH3
ii.

X : HCOOCH(CH3)2 + NaOH HCOONa + CH3CHCH3


OH

P : CH3CHCH3 + [O] CH3COCH3 + H2O


OH

Q : CH3COCH3 + 3 2 + 4NaOH CH 3 + CH3COONa + 3Na + 3H2O

R: NO2 NO2

(CH3)2CO + H2N NH NO2 (CH3)2C N NH NO2 + H2O

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 4 of 4