Esterification

Examples of esterification reactions include:

Heating to Reflux an Acid (usually, but not always a Carboxylic Acid ) and an Alcohol in the presence of an Catalyst forms the ester and water byproduct which can be removed to force the equibilibrium across to the desired products. This method is called Fischer Esterification

For example, esterification of Acetic Acid in excess Ethanol in the presence of Sulfuric Acid results in an ester ( Ethyl Acetate ).

H₃C-COOH + HO-CH₂-CH₃ → H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H₂O (with the presence of conc. Sulfuric Acid )

the reaction of an alkali carboxylate and an Alcohol . For example, the reaction of Sodium Acetate with Ethanol .

H₃C-COO^- Na⁺ + HO-CH₂-CH₃ + H⁺ → H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H₂O

The reaction of a silver carboxylate with a Halogenoalkane (presumably driven by the Insolubility of the Silver Halide ).

H₃C-CO₂^-Ag⁺ + Cl-CH₂-CH₃ → H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + AgCl

The reaction of a carboxylic acid halogenide (which is also called Acyl Halide ) with an alcohol/phenol.

H₃C-COCl + HO-CH₂-CH₃ → H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H-Cl

The reaction of a carboxylic acid Anhydride with an alcohol. (This method is used to synthesize Aspirin )

H₃C-CO-O-CO-CH₃ + HO-CH₂-CH₃ → H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H₃C-COOH

	CATEGORIES ABOUT ESTERIFICATION

	carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions

	condensation reactions

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