alkylestere

Alkyl esters are esters in which the alkyl group comes from an alcohol and the acyl group from a carboxylic acid. Their general structure is RCOOR′, where R is the acyl moiety and R′ is the alkyl substituent. Alkyl esters are typically prepared by esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols, often using an acid catalyst in a Fischer esterification. Alternative routes include reaction of acyl chlorides with alcohols or transesterification of esters with another alcohol.

Industrial relevance is broad. Many alkyl esters are useful as solvents, such as ethyl acetate and isopropyl acetate, valued for moderate polarity and low toxicity. Esters also appear as flavors and fragrances due to characteristic fruity notes. Fatty acid esters, notably fatty acid methyl esters produced from fats and oils, are central to biodiesel. Other applications include plasticizers, lubricants, and chemical intermediates for polymers and agrochemicals.

Properties and safety: esters typically exhibit moderate polarity, variable boiling points, and a tendency toward pleasant odors in many smaller esters. They hydrolyze under acidic or basic conditions to produce the corresponding alcohol and carboxylic acid. Many alkyl esters are flammable and should be handled with appropriate precautions; some may be irritants or toxic in certain exposures. Environmental and regulatory considerations vary with the specific compound.