Butyl ethanoate is an ester used as a flavouring in some sweets because of its fruity smell. State the names of the carboxylic acid and the alcohol needed to make butyl ethanoate, identify the functional group present in all esters, and state one other use of esters apart from flavourings.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1) — 4.7 Esters · State · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Butyl ethanoate is an ester with the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₂. It has a distinct fruity smell and is used as a flavouring in the food industry.

Model answer (4 marks)

Carboxylic acid: ethanoic acid
Alcohol: butanol
Functional group in all esters: –COO–
Other use of esters: perfumes

Use the exact names (ethanoic acid, butanol) and the correct functional group symbol –COO–
Include a recognised non‑flavouring use such as perfumes, solvents or nail varnish remover
Keep the answer concise – one line per point

Writing ‘acetic acid’ instead of ‘ethanoic acid’, or ‘butyl alcohol’ instead of ‘butanol’
Omitting the functional group symbol or writing it incorrectly
Failing to mention a non‑flavouring use

Names the correct carboxylic acid: ethanoic acid
Names the correct alcohol: butanol
States the functional group present in all esters: –COO–
States one other use of esters apart from flavourings: perfumes / solvents / nail varnish remover