C-NMR

Infrared Spectroscopy

The first analytical technique we looked at was IR Spectroscopy. The video above goes through the theory of how the graphs are generated. However, for the Internal Assessment, it is more important that we can use the graphs to infer which functional groups are found within an unknown compound:

Condensation Polymers

Carboxylic Acid Derivatives - Amides

Carboxylic Acid Derivatives - Esters

Esters are immiscible compounds made by reacting alcohols with carboxylic acids (or with acyl chlorides). They are commonly used as aromas and flavourings.

When naming esters, it is easiest to think of them as products of carboxylic acid reactions (carboxylate ions), with a carbon "side chain". For example, when methanol and propanoic acid are used to make an ester, it is called methyl propanoate. When propan-1-ol and ethanoic acid are used to make an ester, it is called propyl ethanoate.

Carboxylic Acid Derivatives - Acyl Chlorides

The link between carboxylic acids and their derivatives is part of our new content in Level 3:

Today, we learned a little about Acyl Chlorides, a very useful intermediate compound in organic synthesis: