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Chapter 19: Problem 59

Consider the following reaction to produce methyl acetate: When this reaction is carried out with \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}\) containing oxygen- \(18,\) the water produced does not contain oxygen-18. Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In the synthesis of methyl acetate (\( CH_{3}COOCH_{3} \)) from acetic acid (\( CH_{3}COOH \)) and methanol (\( CH_{3}OH \)), the oxygen atom in the water molecule (\( H_{2}O \)) produced comes from the acetic acid rather than the methanol containing oxygen-18. Consequently, the water produced does not contain oxygen-18 atoms.

Step by step solution

01

Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction to produce methyl acetate

The synthesis of methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) involves the reaction of acetic acid (CH3COOH) with methanol (CH3OH). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: \[ CH_{3}COOH + CH_{3}OH \rightarrow CH_{3}COOCH_{3} + H_{2}O \] Now let's analyze the sources of oxygen atoms in the water molecule produced in this reaction.
02

Identify the possible sources of oxygen in the water molecule

Looking at the balanced chemical equation, we can see that there are two oxygen atoms in the acetic acid molecule and one oxygen atom in the methanol molecule. In order to form water, two hydrogen atoms need to combine with one of these oxygen atoms.
03

Determine the source of oxygen in the water molecule

The fact that the water produced in the reaction does not contain oxygen-18 atoms implies that the oxygen atom in the water molecule does not come from the methanol (CH3OH) containing oxygen-18. Therefore, in the reaction, the oxygen atom that forms the water molecule comes from the acetic acid (CH3COOH). The oxygen atom from the CH3OH reacts with the acetic acid to form the ester bond in the product methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3).
04

Conclude

In conclusion, during the formation of methyl acetate, the oxygen atom in the water molecule comes from the acetic acid instead of the methanol containing oxygen-18. As a result, the water produced in this reaction does not contain oxygen-18 atoms.

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