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.