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Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
Do carboxylic salts and alcohols react to form an ester, without a catalyst?
Accepted Answer
Carboxylic salts and alcohols generally do not react to form esters without a catalyst. The reaction requires an acidic environment to protonate the alcohol and facilitate the nucleophilic attack by the alcohol on the carbonyl group of the carboxylic acid. The absence of a catalyst makes the reaction extremely slow or even non-existent.
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