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  4. Which of the following carboxylic acids is most reactive towards esterification?

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Q. Which of the following carboxylic acids is most reactive towards esterification?

MHT CETMHT CET 2018Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Solution:

$CH _{3} CH _{2} COOH$ is most reactive towards esterification. The esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols is a kind of nucleophilic acyl substitution. Protonation of the carbonyl oxygen activates the carbonyl group towards nucleophilic addition of alcohol. Therefore, carboxylic acid with less number of electron releasing group most reactive.