Esters are one of the most common d

Esters are one of the most common derivatives of carboxylic acids and are widely distributed in both
nature and industry. A typical procedure to synthesize esters is the Fischer esterification, wherein a
carboxylic acid is treated with an alcohol in the presence of a mineral inorganic acid catalyst. In this
experiment, lauric acid (dodecanoic acid) is converted to ethyl laureate. Lauric acid is representative
of a class of molecules called fatty acids. These are long, straight chain carboxylic acids (C12-C40)
found as ester derivatives in oils, fats, and waxes. For example, a component of carnuba wax is
CH3(CH2)33CO2(CH2)26CH3. Carnuba wax is found in finer automobile waxes and is exuded by
leaves of Brazilian wax palm tree. Animal fats are fatty acids of 1,2,3-propanetriol, also known as
glycerol. Thus, these fats are often referred to as triglycerides.