Question

In the esterification of an alcohol:

• A. H from alcohol and OH from acid is removed as water
• B. OH from alcohol and H from acid is removed as water
• C. H is replaced by chlorine
• D. H is replaced by sodium metal

Answer 1

The correct option is A H from alcohol and OH from acid is removed as water

Esterification is the process of combining an organic acid (RCOOH) with an alcohol (ROH) to form an ester (RCOOR) and water; or a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of at least one ester product. Ester is obtained by an esterification reaction of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

$\text{Acid + Alcohol}\stackrel{H^{+}}{\rightleftharpoons }\underset{FruitySmell}{\text{Ester}}+\text{Water}$

Mechanism of esterification reaction involves three steps:
1) Protonation of carboxylic acids:
2) Nucleophilic attack of alcohol​:
3) Formation of ester​:

So, H from alcohol and OH from acid is removed as water. Hence, option (a) is correct.