A compound most often formed by the condensation of an alcohol and an acid, with elimination of water. It contains the functional group carbon-oxygen double bond joined via carbon to another oxygen atom
chemical compound formed by the reaction of an organic or inorganic acid with an alcohol or with another organic compound containing the hydroxyl (-OH) radical The reaction involves replacement of the hydrogen of the acid with a hydrocarbon group The name of the ester indicates its derivation; e g , the ester resulting from the reaction of ethyl alcohol and ascetic acid is called ethyl acetate Esters have important uses in the formulation of some petroleum additives and synthetic lubricants See dibasic acid ester, phosphate ester
Any of a class of organic compounds that can react with water (see hydrolysis) to produce an alcohol and an organic or inorganic acid. They are formed by the reverse process, esterification, in which acid reacts with alcohol to form an ester and water. Esters of carboxylic acids, the most common esters, contain the acid's carbonyl group (CO; see functional group); the carbon's fourth bond is with the alcohol's oxygen atom. Hydrolysis of esters in the presence of an alkali (saponification) is used to make soaps from fats and oils. Carboxylic acid esters of low molecular weight are colourless, volatile liquids with pleasant odours; they give flavour and fragrance to fruits and flowers and are used as synthetic flavours and fragrances. Others, such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, are used as solvents for lacquers, paints, and varnishes. Certain polymers are esters, including Lucite (polymethyl methacrylate) and Dacron (polyethylene terephthalate). Esters of alcohols and inorganic acids include nitrate esters (e.g., nitroglycerin), which are explosive; phosphate esters, including such biologically important compounds as nucleic acids; and others that are used as flame retardants, solvents, plasticizers, gasoline and oil additives, and insecticides
Some acid herbicides are reacted with alcohols to produce ester formulations Ester formulations of 2,4-D and related herbicides can vaporize under hot conditions after treatment and cause unwanted damage by moving away from the treated area
An ester is a compound formed from the reaction between an acid and an alcohol In esters of carboxylic acids, the -COOH group of the acid and the -OH group of the alcohol lose a water and become a -COO- linkage
An ethereal salt, or compound ether, consisting of an organic radical united with the residue of any oxygen acid, organic or inorganic; thus the natural fats are esters of glycerin and the fatty acids, oleic, etc