Question

What is the role of metal or reagents written on arrows in the given chemical reactions?

${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\stackrel{\mathrm{Conc}{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

Answer 1

Role of reagent in the given reaction:

• The given reaction is as follows:-

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\stackrel{\mathrm{Conc}{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOC}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O} \\ \mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}\mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Ethylacetate}\mathrm{Water} \end{gathered}$$

• In the given reaction, concentrated Sulfuric acid is given above arrow.
• Carboxylic acids are esterified with alcohols in the presence of a mineral acid such as concentrated ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$or $\mathrm{HCl}$ gas as a catalyst.
• So, in the given reaction,${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$is used as a catalyst.