Question

Complete the reaction:
Ethanoic acid + ethanol $\stackrel{\text{acid catalyst}}{\to }$ + water

• A. ester
• B. ether
• C. ethane

Answer 1

The correct option is A ester

$\bullet$ Esters are formed by the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of a mineral acid catalyst. This reaction is called an esterification reaction.

$\bullet$ For example, ethanoic acid $\left({\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}\right)$ reacts with ethanol $\left({\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{OH}\right)$ in the presence sulphuric acid to give an ester, ethyl ethanoate $\left({\text{CH}}_3{\text{COOCH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3\right)$.
${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\stackrel{\mathrm{acid}\mathrm{catalyst}}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOCH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+H_{2}O\left(l\right)$