Alkylesterin

Alkylesterin is a term occasionally used in chemical literature to denote esters in which the alkyl group is bound to the ester oxygen (the OR' group). In standard nomenclature these compounds are referred to as alkyl esters. The nonstandard term may appear in older texts, databases, or in specific contexts, but it is not widely used in modern chemistry.

The general structure of an alkylesterin is R-CO-O-R', where R is an acyl group and R' is an alkyl group. Common examples include methyl acetate (CH3-CO-O-CH3), ethyl formate (HCO-O-CH2CH3), and propyl benzoate (C6H5-CO-O-CH2CH2CH3). Variants span a wide range of chain lengths and functional groups on either side of the ester bond, influencing volatility, polarity, and solubility.

Synthesis typically proceeds by esterification of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol under acidic catalysis, or by reaction of a carboxylic acid derivative (such as an acyl chloride) with an alcohol. Transesterification allows exchange of the alkyl group on the ester. Alkylesterins can also be formed by direct condensation of alcohols with anhydrides under appropriate catalysts.

Reactions include hydrolysis to yield the corresponding carboxylic acid and alcohol; base-promoted saponification to carboxylate salts and alcohols; and reduction of esters to primary or secondary alcohols. Transesterification can swap alkyl groups between esters.

Applications are broad and include use as solvents, plasticizers, flavor and fragrance ingredients, and intermediates in pharmaceutical synthesis. Safety and environmental impact vary with the specific compound; esters are generally flammable and can be irritants, but many undergo ready hydrolysis in the environment, reducing persistence.

See also: esters, alkyl esters, transesterification.