Name: Micelles
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 52 s
Description: In daily life, we use soaps and detergents. But have you ever thought about how their cleansing action takes place? Let’s explore the complete mechanism and...

Question

Explain esterification reaction with the help of a chemical equation. Describe an activity to show esterification.

Accepted Answer

Alcohols when reacts with carboxylic acids on warming in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, form sweet-smelling ester. This reaction is called esterification.

For example, ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid to yield ethyl ethanoate.

$\underset{Ethanoic acid}{{CH}_{3} {COOH}_{(l)}} + \underset{Ethanol}{C_{2} H_{5} {OH}_{(l)}} \overset{conc . H_{2} {SO}_{4}}{\to} \underset{Ethyl ethanoate}{{CH}_{3} {COOC}_{2} {H_{5}}_{(l)}} + \underset{Water}{H_{2} O_{(aq)}}$

To study the formation of esters perform an activity,

1) Take about 1 mL of ethanol in a test tube and about add 1 mL of glacial acetic acid to it.

2) Now add a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid to the test tube.

3) Put the test tube in a water bath and warm it for 5-10 minutes.

4) Take a beaker containing 20-50 mL of water and then pour the contents of the test tube into it and then smell it.

Observations and conclusions:

The mixture in the beaker has a fruity smell, which confirms the formation of ester.

Explain esterification reaction with the help of a chemical equation. Describe an activity to show esterification.

Important Questions on Carbon and Its Compounds

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