Accelerated Esterification by Domestic Microwave for the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry

Abstract

The aim of this work was to offer a green laboratory experiment for undergraduate organic chemistry course.  Esterification accelerated by domestic microwave was studied.  The reaction occurred within 3 minutes.  The odor of the product was used as a tool to indicate the reaction.  This convenient, simple and fast experiment provided ground for the lessons on esterification mechanism, nomenclature of ester, physical properties, principle of microwave and green chemistry.