10.2 grams of ethyl butyrate synthesized.
The balanced equation for the reaction of butanoic acid (C4H8O2) with ethanol (C2H6O) to produce ethyl butyrate (C6H12O2) is:
C4H8O2 + C2H6O ==> C6H12O2 + H2O
So for each mole of C4H8O2 used, 1 mole of C6H12O2 will be produced. So let's calculate the reactant and product molar masses. Start by looking up the atomic weights of the involved elements:
Atomic weight carbon = 12.0107
Atomic weight hydrogen = 1.00794
Atomic weight oxygen = 15.999
Molar mass C4H8O2 = 4 * 12.0107 + 8 * 1.00794 + 2 * 15.999 = 88.10432 g/mol
Molar mass C6H12O2 = 6 * 12.0107 + 12 * 1.00794 + 2 * 15.999 = 116.15748 g/mol
Moles C4H8O2 = 7.75 g / 88.10432 g/mol = 0.087963905 mol
Mass C6H12O2 = 0.087963905 mol * 116.15748 g/mol = 10.21766549 g
Rounding to 3 significant figures gives 10.2 grams of ethyl butyrate synthesized.
