Esters vs. Carboxylic Acids: Structures, Differences, and Examples @wbreslyn

Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

In this video, we’ll explore the differences between esters and carboxylic acids—two essential functional groups in organic chemistry. Starting with their general structures, we’ll clarify what sets esters and carboxylic acids apart, then move on to specific examples and practice exercises.

Ester: Esters feature a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to an oxygen atom, which is also connected to another carbon group (R–C=O–O–R). Esters are commonly found in fragrances and flavors due to their pleasant aromas.

Carboxylic Acid: Carboxylic acids contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to an -OH group, creating the -COOH structure. Known for their acidic properties, carboxylic acids are commonly found in biological and industrial compounds.

This video offers a clear, step-by-step comparison with examples and exercises to reinforce your understanding of esters and carboxylic acids.

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$Convert 3.5 L to mL (3.5 Liters to Milliliters) uantity you want to convert (3.5 L) and set up a ratio where the original unit (L) is in the denominator and the target unit (mL) is in the numerator, using the conversion factor: Conversion factor: 1000 mL / 1 L Write the quantity you want to convert (3.5 L) as a fraction over 1: 3.5 L / 1 Multiply this fraction by the conversion factor: (3.5 L / 1) * (1000 mL / 1 L) Notice that the units of liters (L) in the numerator and denominator cancel out, leaving only the units of milliliters (mL): (3.5 * 1000) / (1 * 1) mL = 3500 / 1 mL = 3500 mL So, 3.5 L is equivalent to 3500 milliliters. The units of liters cancel out during the conversion process, leaving only milliliters as the final unit.$

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$Convert 6.5 L to mL (6.5 Liters to Milliliters) To convert 6.5 liters (L) to milliliters (mL), you can use the following steps. Note that the L will cancel out as you perform the conversion, leaving only mL: Conversion Factor: 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL) Start with the quantity you want to convert (6.5 L) and set up a ratio where the original unit (L) is in the denominator and the target unit (mL) is in the numerator, using the conversion factor: Conversion factor: 1000 mL / 1 L Write the quantity you want to convert (6.5 L) as a fraction over 1: 6.5 L / 1 Multiply this fraction by the conversion factor: (6.5 L / 1) * (1000 mL / 1 L) Notice that the units of liters (L) in the numerator and denominator cancel out, leaving only the units of milliliters (mL): (6.5 * 1000) / (1 * 1) mL = 6500 / 1 mL = 6500 mL So, 6.5 L is equivalent to 6500 milliliters. The units of liters cancel out during the conversion process, leaving only milliliters as the final unit.$

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