Esters are a chemically important pharmaceutical intermediate manufactured through the method of Esterification (ref?). An ester is formed from the catalysed reaction between a carboxylic acid and alcohol at elevated temperatures. This investigation aimed to synthesis and purify the butyl ethanoate ester through the reflux, isolation and distillation stages of the Esterification between butanol and ethanoic acid. The experiment was conducted in an isolated laboratory, with the reaction between butanol and ethanoic acid occurring at high operating temperature in the presence of a homogenous acid catalyst. The refluxed solution is then cooled to reach the point of supersaturation before 'washing' the mixture with water and other aqueous solvents
