2006-10-15 00:57:24 · 3 answers · asked by nikunjmehta4857 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Smell them , they smell like esters , or add some Acid it will change the color i guess ,
2006-10-15 01:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good question.
We use Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrophotometry. The only caveat is the Molecular Weight needs to be above 40 AMU for identification.
For bench chemistry, I've use steam distillation and ether extraction to extract Trimyristin (a common ester found in great quantities in nutmeg).
The other answers are correct in the fact that esters have a very distinctive smell. They are used in cheap perfumes and industrial products. If you have a sensitive nose, you might be able to distinguish between different esters.
Good Luck!
2006-10-15 02:35:59 · answer #2 · answered by gvloh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definitive test, rather than a property such as a pleasant smell, would be to hydrolyse the ester, and prove that you now had a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.
2006-10-18 23:06:06 · answer #3 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋