Esterification of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol catalysed by conc. H₂SO₄ (Fischer esterification) is a:
AIrreversible reaction with quantitative yield
BFree-radical addition
CReversible reaction (equilibrium); driven to completion by excess alcohol OR by removal of water (since H₂SO₄ absorbs water + acts as catalyst)
DOne-way oxidation
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Reversible reaction (equilibrium); driven to completion by excess alcohol OR by removal of water (since H₂SO₄ absorbs water + acts as catalyst)
**Fischer esterification**: RCOOH + R'OH ⇌ **RCOOR' + H₂O**, catalysed by conc. H₂SO₄. **Reversible equilibrium**. Driven to product side by: (i) using excess alcohol (Le Chatelier), (ii) removing H₂O (azeotropic distillation, or conc. H₂SO₄ as dehydrating agent). Mechanism: protonation of C=O, nucleophilic addition by alcohol, then loss of H₂O.
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