Question

What is esterification reaction? Write the chemical equation for esterification of Ethanol with Ethanoic acid.

Answer 1

• In the esterification reaction carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol resulting in the formation of an ester.
• The reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst like concentrated Sulphuric acid.
• When Ethanol reacts with Ethanoic acid in the presence of dehydrating agent like conc. ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{SO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ to form a sweet-smelling ester, Ethyl ethanoate $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{H}_5\right)$.

• The chemical equation is shown as follows:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{\mathrm{conc}.{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\rightleftharpoons }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}\mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{ethanoate} \end{gathered}$$