Top topic this week
Back to FAQs
Related FAQs
Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
Explain the conversion of ethanol to ethyl acetate without the use of an additional base
Accepted Answer
In the absence of a base, ethanol and acetic acid are heated in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, which acts as both an acid catalyst as well as a water-removing agent. The reaction is conducted via a nucleophilic acyl substitution mechanism, wherein the alcohol oxygen atom of ethanol attacks the carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid to yield ethyl acetate and water. The water formed during this reaction is subsequently removed by the concentrated sulfuric acid used in the reaction mixture, favoring the completion of the desired esterification reaction.
Articles you might like