ESTERS MENU

Background . . . An introduction to esters, including large esters like animal or vegetable fats and oils. Preparation of esters . . . Their preparation from alcohols (and phenols) reacting with carboxylic acids, acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides as appropriate. The hydrolysis of esters . . . The hydrolysis of esters using water, acids or alkalis (including soap making). Polyesters . . . A summary of the chemistry of simple polyesters like Terylene, including their formation, structure, hydrolysis and uses.