1.

Give the chemical name, formula and use of the following esters:
(a) Aspirin
Chemical name: 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid
Chemical formula: C9H8O4
(b) Oil of Wintergreen
Chemical name: Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate
Chemical formula: C8H8O3
(c) Salol
Chemical name: Phenyl salicylate
Chemical formula: C13H10O3

2. Why is aspirin sold in the form of its sodium salt?

Aspirin is a commonly used analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory. Its
systematic (IUPAC) name, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, reveals the fact that it is an organic
acid. It is a relatively strong acid (for an organic acid). Thus, if it were to be sold in its
original form, it would chemically burn the mouth. Thus, it is prepared in the form of its
sodium salt. The sodium salt of 2-acetoxybenzoic acid has the H+ of its carboxylate
group replaced with a Na+. Since the H+ cation is what causes solutions to be acidic,
replacing it with a Na+ cation would allow it to be consumed with no more than a slight
salty taste from the Na+ cations.

3. Illustrate with equation other ways of preparing esters.

 Ethanoic acid and ethanol producing ethyl ethanoate
CH3COOH + CH3CH2OH CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O
 Ethanoic acid and methanol producing methyl ethanoate
CH3OH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq) CH3COOCH3(aq) + H2O(l)
 Ethanoic acid and propanol producing propyl ethanoate
C3H7OH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq) CH3COOC3H7(aq) + H2O(l)
 Ethanoic acid and butanol producing butyl ethanoate
C4H9OH(aq) + CH3CO2H(aq) CH3CO2C4H9(aq) + H2O(l)
4. Give other esters, their uses or occurrences.

5. Give the meaning of:

(a) Analgesic - Analgesics are medicines that are used to relieve pain. They are also
known as painkillers. Technically, the term analgesic refers to a medication that
relieves pain without loss of consciousness, as opposed to an anesthetic, which is a
substance that induces insensitivity to pain via a loss of consciousness and an
absence of sensory perception.
(b) Antipyretic - Antipyretics are substances that reduce fever. Antipyretics cause the
hypothalamus to override a prostaglandin-induced increase in temperature.
(c) Liniment - a liquid or semiliquid preparation for rubbing on or applying to the skin,
as for sprains or bruises, usually soothing or counterirritating.
(d) Enteric coating - is a polymer barrier applied on oral medication that prevents its
dissolution or disintegration in the gastric environment. This helps by either
protecting drugs from the acidity of the stomach, the stomach from the detrimental
effects of the drug, or to release the drug after the stomach (usually in the upper
tract of the intestine).