esterification

Esterification is the general name for a chemical reaction in that an ester is the reaction product. Esterification reactions include

the Fischer esterification (refluxing a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst) in the absence of water with alcohol/phenole

the reaction of a carboxylic acid halogenide ( which is also called Acyl halide) with an alcohol/phenole

the reaction of a carboxylic anhydride with an alcohol/phenole.

Examples

The Fischer esterification of acetic acid in excess ethanol in the presence of sulfuric acid resulting in the ester ethyl acetate. H3C-COOH + HO-CH2-CH3 + H2SO4 ----> H3C-COO-CH2-CH3 + H2SO4 + H-0-H This reaction is the so called tutorial model reaction, which is found in every college-grade tutorial. It is evident and very easy to understand the mechanism of the SN2 (two-phase-nucleophile-substitution) reaction. This reaction works only for special esters and needs much laboratorial skill, because you have to reflux, but to eflux the water, hence the water would lead the reaction to the left side. The reaction of ethanoyl chloride with ethanol H₃C-COCl + HO-CH₂-CH₃ ----> H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H-Cl This reaction is NOT a tutorial reaction, hence it is not very evident. But this reaction is easy to perform, even with basic laboratorial skill.

Esterification

Examples

See also