esters
Organic compounds formed by the union of an acid
and an alcohol (or a phenol) with the elimination
of water, and which during HYDROLYSIS break down
to these component parts. An ester may also be
regarded simply as an organic acid. Esters may be
specified either by constituents (e.g., ethyl
silicate may be considered to be the silicone
ester or ethyl alcohol), or by the ethyl ester or
silicic acid. Esters are sometimes used to remove
fat and grease stains from paper, and, less
frequently, to inhibit bookworms. (233 , 235 )
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