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An ester is a chemical compound derived from an acid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one –OH hydroxyl group is replaced by an –O– alkyl (alkoxy) group, as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

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Phosphate esters are biologically important (nucleic acids belong to this group) and are used widely in industry as solvents, plasticizers, and flame retardants

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They are formed in esterification reactions between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

They can also be formed in acylation reactions between alcohols and either acyl chlorides, or acid anhydrides.

They are broken down in hydrolysis reactions using either a base or an acid as a catalyst.

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An organic compound formed by esterification. Esters formed from carboxylic acids have the general formula RCOOR′. Esters containing simple hydrocarbon groups are volatile fragrant substances used as flavourings in the food industry.

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The ester is a functional group, which may be represented as -COOR. Esters can be prepared from alcohols and carboxylic acids, acyl chlorides (acid chlorides) and alcohols, or from acid anhydrides and alcohols. The boiling point of esters are lower than the acid with same number of carbon atoms

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Esters are colourless, pleasant smelling liquids, while those of higher acids are colourless solids. Lower esters are fairly soluble in water. The solubility of esters in water decreases rapidly with increase in the mass.