酯

Esters are chemical compounds derived formally from an oxoacid (one containing an oxo group, X=O), and a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol.酯是形式上衍生自含氧酸（一种含氧代基团，X ＝ O）和羟基化合物如醇或苯酚的化合物。 Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH (hydroxyl) group is replaced by an -O-alkyl (alkoxy) group.酯通常衍生自无机酸或有机酸，其中至少一个-OH（羟基）被-O-烷基（烷氧基）取代。
Esters are ubiquitous.酯无处不在。 Many naturally occurring fats and oils are the fatty acid esters of glycerol.许多天然存在的油脂是甘油的脂肪酸酯。 Esters with low molecular weight are commonly used as fragrances and found in essential oils and pheromones.低分子量的酯通常用作香精，并存在于香精油和信息素中。 Phosphoesters form the backbone of DNA molecules.磷酸酯形成DNA分子的骨架。 Nitrate esters, such as nitroglycerin, are known for their explosive properties, while polyesters are important plastics, with monomers linked by ester moieties.硝酸酯，例如硝酸甘油，以其爆炸性而著称，而聚酯是重要的塑料，其单体通过酯部分连接。
本文将主要讨论衍生自羧酸和醇类的酯，这是最常见的酯类。