• Feb 21, 2026 Experiment 3 Ester Formation Preparation Of Benzocaine a local anesthetic commonly used in overthecounter medications is an ester derived from benzoic acid and ethanol The structure consists of a benzene ring attached to a carboxyl group COOH which is then esterified with ethanol forming an ethyl benzoate The molecular formula for benzocaine is C9H11NO By Mafalda Cormier