Data Analysis Questions for Fischer Esterification

A. GC Chromatogram

a. What is the retention time of your product?

b. What is the standard retention time for methyl benzoate?

c. Do the two match up?

i. Are the two retention times slightly different?

ii. What sources of error are there?

d. Is there something odd about the peak shape?

i. What could be causing this shape?

ii. Does this shape cause any issues with your retention time?

B. IR

a. IR functional group region analysis

i. What peaks are present that should be present?

ii. What peaks are absent that should be absent?

iii. Are there any peaks present or absent that should not be?

iv. What conclusion can you draw about the functional group region?

b. IR fingerprint region analysis

i. What peaks are present that should be present?

ii. What peaks are absent that should be absent?

iii. Are there any peaks present or absent that should not be?

iv. What conclusion can you draw about the fingerprint region?

c. IR final analysis

i. Does the IR support the synthesis of methyl benzoate?

ii. Why or why not?

C. Percent Yield

a. What is the percent yield for the Fischer product?

b. Why did you get these results (ie why did you lose product)?

c. Is there something you could have done to improve your yield?

i. If so, why?

ii. If not, why?

D. NMR (For 128L Only)

a. Is the correct number of peaks present?

i. If there are any missing, which ones?

ii. Is the chemical shift correct for each peak?

iii. Is the splitting pattern for each peak correct?

iv. Is the integration of each peak correct?

b. Are there any peaks absent? If yes, which ones?

c. Are there any peaks present that should not be?

i. How many?

ii. What are the chemical shifts, splitting pattern and integration?

iii. What is the potential source of these peaks?

d. NMR final analysis

i. Does the proton NMR support the synthesis of methyl benzoate?

ii. Why or why not?