ester
a compound produced by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol with the elimination of a molecule of water, as ethyl acetate, C4H8O2, or dimethyl sulfate, C2H6SO4.
Origin of ester
1Words Nearby ester
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use ester in a sentence
It was then thought that perhaps the oil could be converted into an ester which might be more volatile and could be distilled out.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron) | William Anderson SymeThe ester solution was then put in a vacuum desiccator over sulphuric acid and the alcohol evaporated.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron) | William Anderson SymeA black tar-like solid was left very much like the original material, but it had the ester odor.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron) | William Anderson SymeA mixture of the two esters melted within the limits given for the ester of gallic acid.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron) | William Anderson SymeThe ether, on evaporation, left the ester which was crystallized from water and dried in a desiccator over sulphuric acid.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron) | William Anderson Syme
British Dictionary definitions for ester
/ (ˈɛstə) /
chem any of a class of compounds produced by reaction between acids and alcohols with the elimination of water. Esters with low molecular weights, such as ethyl acetate, are usually volatile fragrant liquids; fats are solid esters
Origin of ester
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for ester
[ ĕs′tər ]
An organic compound formed when an acid and an alcohol combine and release water. Esters formed from carboxylic acids are the most common, and have the general formula RCOOR′, where R and R′ are organic radicals. Esters formed from simple hydrocarbon groups are colorless, volatile liquids with pleasant aromas and create the fragrances and flavors of many flowers and fruits. They are also used as food flavorings. Larger esters, formed from long-chain carboxylic acids, commonly occur as animal and vegetable fats, oils, and waxes. Esters have a wide range of uses in industry.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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