Esterification is the chemical process in which a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester, usually in the presence of an acid catalyst such as concentrated sulfuric acid. An ester is an organic compound with the general formula R–COOR′, where R comes from the acid and R′ comes from the alcohol.
Key Points about Esterification
- The reaction involves the replacement of the –OH group of the acid with the –OR′ group from the alcohol.
- Water is released as a by-product, so it is a type of condensation reaction.
- Concentrated sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst and also helps remove water, driving the reaction forward.
Characteristics of Esters
- Esters are usually sweet-smelling or fruity liquids and are commonly found in fruits and flowers.
- They are less soluble in water than carboxylic acids because they do not form strong hydrogen bonds with water.
- They are used in perfumes, flavorings, solvents, and as plasticizers.