Question 1: Define an ester and describe how it is generally formed in organic chemistry.

Answer: An ester is an organic compound derived from carboxylic acid and an alcohol, formed through a condensation reaction called esterification, which involves the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol, releasing water.

Question 2: Explain why esters are significant in nanotechnology applications.

Answer: Esters are important in nanotechnology because their chemical properties, such as volatility and solubility, make them useful in creating nanoscale materials, sensors, and drug delivery systems.

Question 1: Describe the general chemical reaction involved in esterification.

Answer: Esterification is a reaction where a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst (usually sulfuric acid) to produce an ester and water.

Question 2: Identify the functional groups present in esters.

Answer: Esters contain a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to an oxygen atom that is also connected to an alkyl group (–COO–).

Question 1: Calculate the molar mass of ethyl acetate (C4H8O2).

Answer: Molar mass = (4×12.01) + (8×1.008) + (2×16.00) = 88.11 g/mol

Question 2: If 10 grams of acetic acid reacts completely with ethanol, how many moles of ethyl acetate can be produced? (Molar mass of acetic acid = 60.05 g/mol)

Answer: Moles of acetic acid = 10 g / 60.05 g/mol ≈ 0.1665 mol; thus, 0.1665 mol of ethyl acetate can be formed.

Question 1: List two safety precautions to observe when performing esterification reactions in the lab.

Answer: Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect against acid spills; perform reactions in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to avoid inhaling fumes.

Question 2: Identify the variables that should be controlled during an esterification experiment.

Answer: Temperature, concentration of reactants, and reaction time should be controlled to ensure consistent results.

Question 1: A company produces a specific ester used in nanotech sensors that has a boiling point of 150°C. Explain how the boiling point of this ester affects its application in nanoscale devices.

Answer: A boiling point of 150°C indicates moderate volatility, which allows the ester to evaporate and condense at controlled temperatures, making it suitable for use in precise nanotech sensor assembly and functionalization.

Question 1: Discuss how the chemical properties of esters make them suitable for use in drug delivery systems at the nanoscale. Include in your answer considerations of solubility, volatility, and biocompatibility.

Answer: Esters are suitable for nanodrug delivery systems because their moderate polarity allows for good solubility in biological fluids, facilitating transport. Their volatility can be controlled to release drugs at specific sites, and biocompatibility depends on the ester’s structure, which can be designed to minimize toxicity. These properties enable esters to be used as carriers or functionalizing agents in nanomedicine.