List of esters

In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid (organic or inorganic) in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group (−OH) of that acid is replaced by an organyl group (−R). Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well (i.e. esters of acidic −SH, −SeH, −TeH, −PoH and −LvH groups). According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well (e.g. amides), but not according to the IUPAC.

An example of an ester formation is the substitution reaction between a carboxylic acid (R−C(=O)−OH) and an alcohol (R'OH), forming an ester (R−C(=O)−O−R'), where R and R′ are organyl groups, or H in the case of esters of formic acid. Glycerides, which are fatty acid esters of glycerol, are important esters in biology, being one of the main classes of lipids, and making up the bulk of animal fats and vegetable oils. Esters of carboxylic acids with low molecular weight are commonly used as fragrances and found in essential oils and pheromones. Phosphoesters form the backbone of DNA molecules. Nitrate esters, such as nitroglycerin, are known for their explosive properties, while polyesters are important plastics, with monomers linked by ester moieties. Esters of carboxylic acids usually have a sweet smell and are considered high-quality solvents for a broad array of plastics, plasticizers, resins, and lacquers. They are also one of the largest classes of synthetic lubricants on the commercial market.

By number of R' group carbons (R−C(=O)−O−R')

1 carbon

2 carbons

3 carbons

4 carbons

5 carbons

7 carbons

8 carbons

10 carbons

By number of R group carbons (R−C(=O)−O−R')

0 carbons

1 carbon

2 carbons

3 carbons

4 carbons

5 carbons

6 carbons

7 carbons

8 carbons

9 carbons

10 carbons

16 carbons

List of ester odorants

Many esters of carboxylic acid have distinctive fruit-like odors, and many occur naturally in fruits and the essential oils of plants. This has also led to their common use in artificial flavorings and fragrances which aim to mimic those odors.

Lactones

Lactones are a specific class cyclic carboxylic esters that are formed through intramolecular esterification.

References

1. Ester
2. List of androgen esters
3. List of songs written (and produced) by Ester Dean
4. List of steroid esters
5. List of estrogen esters
6. List of corticosteroid esters
7. List of steroids
8. List of progestogen esters
9. List of androgens/anabolic steroids (alternate)
10. Sucrose esters
11. Glycerol ester of wood rosin
12. List of corticosteroids
13. Amino esters
14. List of estrogens
15. Antipsychotic ester
16. Carbonate ester
17. Cholesteryl ester
18. Steroid ester
19. Polyvinyl ester
20. Androgen ester