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Define esterification,7 a reaction, with an example
Accepted Answer
Esterification is a chemical reaction where an ester is formed from the reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. This reaction typically occurs in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. Here is an example:
Reaction:
CH₃COOH (acetic acid) + C₂H₅OH (ethanol) ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ (ethyl acetate) + H₂O (water)
Mechanism:
1. Protonation of the carboxylic acid by the acid catalyst.
2. Nucleophilic attack of the alcohol on the carbonyl carbon of the protonated carboxylic acid.
3. Elimination of a water molecule.
This reaction is an example of a condensation reaction, as two molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the loss of a smaller molecule, in this case, water.
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