Question

Consider the following organic compounds:
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{CHO}, \text{CH}_3\text{COOH}, \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}, \text{CH}_3\text{COCH}_3\)
Give the chemical equation for the chemical reaction when \(\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}\) and \(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}\) react in the presence of conc. \(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\).

Answer 1

Esterification reaction:

When ethanoic acid (\(\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}\)) reacts with ethanol (\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}\)) in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, ethyl ethanoate (an ester) and water are formed. This reaction is called esterification.

Chemical equation:

\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} \xrightarrow{\text{conc.}\, \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{CH}_3\text{COOC}_2\text{H}_5 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]