Naming esters

carboxylic acid + alcohol

ester +water

The name of the ester

•Begins with the prefix from the alcohol (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.)

Ends with the prefix from the acid (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.) and then -ate

•Begins with the prefix from the alcohol (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.)

Ends with the prefix from the acid (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.) and then -ate

Methanol + butanoic acid ->

methyl butanoate + water

•Begins with the prefix from the alcohol (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.)

Ends with the prefix from the acid (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.) and then -ate

Methanol + butanoic acid ->

methyl butanoate + water

•Begins with the prefix from the alcohol (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.)

Ends with the prefix from the acid (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.) and then -ate

Methanol + butanoic acid ->

methyl butanoate + water

•Begins with the prefix from the alcohol (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.)

Ends with the prefix from the acid (meth-, eth-, pro- etc.) and then -ate

Methanol + butanoic acid ->

methyl butanoate + water

In Finnish, it is a bit different:

the acid part goes first (in genetive), and then the –ate is replaced by ’esteri’

muurahaishappo + etanoli -> muurahaishapon etyyliesteri

+ vesi

muurahaishappo + etanoli -> muurahaishapon etyyliesteri

+ vesi

methanoic acid ethanol

ethyl ester of methanoic acid =

ethyl methanoate