The Reaction between a Carboxylic acid and an Alcohol-Esterification Any alcohol will react with any carboxylic (organic) acid to produce an ESTER and a molecule of water The conditions necessary are that the two liquids are mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid (a catalyst for this reaction) and boiled Suppose we react propanoic acid and methanol: C H O + C H O + The ester we make is called methyl propanoate

Esterification What ester would we produce if we reacted …? Ethanoic acid and methanol: C O H + C H O + The ester we make is called methyl ethanoate H O C C O H Ethanoic acid and propanol Propyl ethanoate

Esterification What ester would we produce if we reacted …? Methanoic acid and ethanol: H C O + O H + C The ester we make is called ethyl methanoate Which acid and which alcohol would we need to react to produce…? C H O propanoic acid and butanol