What is the general formula for esters?

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An ester is an organic compound derived from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Esters are characterized by the presence of the ester functional group (-COO-) and are commonly found in fats, oils, and many naturally occurring compounds.General Ester FormulaBasic Structural FormulaR-COO-R'Where:R = alkyl or aryl group from the carboxylic acidCOO = ester functional groupR' = alkyl or aryl group from the alcoholCondensed FormulaR-CO₂-R' or RCOOR'Functional Group FormulaThe ester functional group is represented as: -COO- or -CO₂-Ester Formulas by TypeEster TypeGeneral FormulaStructural RepresentationExampleSimple Aliphatic EsterR-COO-R'![Simple ester structure]CH₃COOCH₃Aromatic EsterAr-COO-R or R-COO-Ar![Aromatic ester structure]C₆H₅COOCH₃DiesterR-COO-R'-OOC-R![Diester structure]CH₃COO-CH₂-CH₂-OOCCH₃Cyclic Ester (Lactone)Cyclic R-COO-![Lactone structure]γ-butyrolactoneCommon Ester ExamplesClass 10 Level EstersEster NameMolecular FormulaStructural FormulaSource/UseMethyl AcetateC₃H₆O₂CH₃COOCH₃Solvent, paint thinnerEthyl AcetateC₄H₈O₂CH₃COOCH₂CH₃Nail polish removerMethyl SalicylateC₈H₈O₃HOC₆H₄COOCH₃Oil of wintergreenEthyl ButyrateC₆H₁₂O₂CH₃CH₂CH₂COOCH₂CH₃Pineapple flavoringAdvanced Level EstersEster NameMolecular FormulaStructural FormulaApplicationsAspirinC₉H₈O₄CH₃COOC₆H₄COOHMedicineTriglyceridesVariable(RCOO)₃-glycerolFats and oilsPolyethylene Terephthalate(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ[-OOC-C₆H₄-COO-CH₂CH₂-]ₙPlastic bottlesEster Formation Reactions1. Esterification (Fischer Esterification)Formula:R-COOH + R'-OH ⇌ R-COO-R' + H₂OExample:CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O
(Acetic acid) + (Ethanol) ⇌ (Ethyl acetate) + (Water)2. Acid Chloride MethodFormula:R-COCl + R'-OH → R-COO-R' + HCl3. Anhydride MethodFormula:(R-CO)₂O + R'-OH → R-COO-R' + R-COOHNomenclature and NamingIUPAC Naming SystemFormat: [Alkyl group from alcohol] + [Alkanoate from acid]EsterIUPAC NameCommon NameCH₃COOCH₃Methyl ethanoateMethyl acetateCH₃COOC₂H₅Ethyl ethanoateEthyl acetateC₂H₅COOCH₃Methyl propanoateMethyl propionateHCOOC₂H₅Ethyl methanoateEthyl formate

What is the general formula for esters?

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Ester Type	General Formula	Structural Representation	Example
Simple Aliphatic Ester	R-COO-R'	![Simple ester structure]	CH₃COOCH₃
Aromatic Ester	Ar-COO-R or R-COO-Ar	![Aromatic ester structure]	C₆H₅COOCH₃
Diester	R-COO-R'-OOC-R	![Diester structure]	CH₃COO-CH₂-CH₂-OOCCH₃
Cyclic Ester (Lactone)	Cyclic R-COO-	![Lactone structure]	γ-butyrolactone

Ester Name	Molecular Formula	Structural Formula	Source/Use
Methyl Acetate	C₃H₆O₂	CH₃COOCH₃	Solvent, paint thinner
Ethyl Acetate	C₄H₈O₂	CH₃COOCH₂CH₃	Nail polish remover
Methyl Salicylate	C₈H₈O₃	HOC₆H₄COOCH₃	Oil of wintergreen
Ethyl Butyrate	C₆H₁₂O₂	CH₃CH₂CH₂COOCH₂CH₃	Pineapple flavoring

Ester	IUPAC Name	Common Name
CH₃COOCH₃	Methyl ethanoate	Methyl acetate
CH₃COOC₂H₅	Ethyl ethanoate	Ethyl acetate
C₂H₅COOCH₃	Methyl propanoate	Methyl propionate
HCOOC₂H₅	Ethyl methanoate	Ethyl formate

Ester Name	Molecular Formula	Structural Formula	Applications
Aspirin	C₉H₈O₄	CH₃COOC₆H₄COOH	Medicine
Triglycerides	Variable	(RCOO)₃-glycerol	Fats and oils
Polyethylene Terephthalate	(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ	[-OOC-C₆H₄-COO-CH₂CH₂-]ₙ	Plastic bottles