Question

Predict the esterification products of the following acid/alcohol pairs.

(a) CH₃CH₂COOH + CH₃OH

(b) CH₃CH₂OH + HNO₃

(c) 2CH₃CH₂CH₂OH + H₃PO₄

(d)

(e)

Short answer

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Step-by-step solution

(a): Esterification

Esterification reactions are reactions between alcohol and carboxylic acid to form esters. It is a condensation reaction.

It is a simple reaction where acid and alcohol react and form an esterification product.

Reaction

Carboxylic acid reacts with methanol to form methyl propionate by removing water molecules.

Formation of methyl propionate

(b): Esterification

Esterification reactions are reactions between alcohol and carboxylic acid to form esters. It is a condensation reaction.

It is a simple reaction where acid and alcohol react and form an esterification product.

Reaction

Water molecule is removed when ethanol reacts with nitric acid and forms ethyl nitrite.

Formation of ethyl nitrite

(c): Esterification

Esterification reactions are reactions between alcohol and carboxylic acid to form esters. It is a condensation reaction.

Phosphoric acid is used in fertilizers, food additives and water treatment products.

Reaction

Two water molecules are removed when phosphoric acid reacts with propanol, forming diethyl hydrogen phosphate.

Formation of diethyl hydrogenphosphate

(d): Esterification

Esterification reactions are reactions between alcohol and carboxylic acid to form esters. It is a condensation reaction.

It is a simple reaction where acid and alcohol react and form an esterification product.

Reaction

Benzoic acid reacts with methanol and forms methyl benzoate.

Formation of methyl benzoate

(e): Esterification

Esterification reactions are reactions between alcohol and carboxylic acid to form esters. It is a condensation reaction.

It is a simple reaction where acid and alcohol react and form an esterification product.

Reaction

Phenol reacts with propionic acid to form phenylpropionate.

Formation of phenyl propionate