Question

Why is it important to neutralize the reaction mixture during the workup? 1. It ensures that the ester is uncharged and therefore insoluble in water so that the product can be filtered. 2. If the reaction were not neutralized, the final product would not be in the desired oxidation state. 3. Neutralization prevents the ester from undergoing the reverse reaction to regenerate the carboxylic acid starting material. 4. Sulfuric acid is strong enough to dissolve glass and needs to be neutralized before the glassware loses its structural integrity.

Answer 1

Answer: the correct option is 1 (It ensures that the ester is uncharged and therefore insoluble in water so that the product can be filtered.)

Explanation:

Esters are formed through a process known as esterification. This involves the heating of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol while the water formed is continuously removed. In order for the reaction to occur at a maximum rate, an acidic catalyst is used. The most common acid catalysts includes:

- hydrochloric acid and

-sulfuric acid.

These catalyst needs to be neutralized in order to isolate the product. This is so because the solution begins to precipitate when the reaction mixture is neutralized.

Thus it is important neutralize the moisture in order to filter out the ester from the mixture, which otherwise will be in a dissolved state and will not be recoverable.