# Carboxylic acids can react with alcohols to form esters in a process called esterification. Pentyl methanoate is an ester that has a distinctive fruity smell. Describe how pentyl methanoate could be identified as an ester, and explain the conditions needed to produce it from its parent carboxylic acid and alcohol. Name the two reactants used.

> WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) — 4.5 Carboxylic acids and their derivatives · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Pentyl methanoate is an ester because it contains the ester functional group / linkage (-COO-) OR esters are formed from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol
2. Named reactant 1: methanoic acid (the parent carboxylic acid)
3. Named reactant 2: pentan-1-ol / pentanol (the parent alcohol)
4. An acid catalyst is needed (concentrated sulfuric acid)
5. Heat / reflux is required for the reaction to occur

## Key terms

- [esterification](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/esterification)
- [ester](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ester)
- [carboxylic acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/carboxylic-acid)
- [alcohol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alcohol)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/carboxylic-acids-can-react-with-alcohols-629b22f2) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.