BRAINCAKEEsterification
Esterification is the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol to form an ester and water. A molecule of water is eliminated as the two molecules join, so it is a condensation reaction.
RCOOH + R'OH ⇌ RCOOR' + H2O
Conditions: warm the acid and alcohol with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The reaction is reversible and reaches equilibrium, so the yield is well below 100%. The ester can be distilled off as it forms, which helps to shift the equilibrium to the right.
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More in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Preparation of Carboxylic Acids
- Reduction of Carboxylic Acids
- Reactions with Bases
- Reaction with PCl5
- Acyl Chlorides
- Reactions of Acyl Chlorides with Water, Alcohols, Ammonia and Amines
- Esters
- Hydrolysis of Esters
All 12 lessons in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics