Question

The reaction between an alcohol and an acid with the elimination of water molecule is called

• A. Esterification
• B. Saponification
• C. Etherification
• D. Elimination

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$\underset{\text{Esterification}}{{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COOH+CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{OH}\rightleftharpoons {\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COOCH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{+H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}}$

When a carboxylic acid is treated with an alcohol and an acid catalyst, an ester is formed (along with water). This reaction is called the Fischer esterification.