Question

Acid-catalysed estrification of a carboxylic acid is shown below.

(i) What special name is given to this esterification reaction?
(ii) Trace the position of `O^(18)` of benzoic acid in the products formed.
(iii) Acid catalysed esterification is a substitution at the carbonyl carbon or at the oxygen of OH. Explain

Answer 1

(i) lt is Fischer esterification.
(ii) `O^(18)` in `H_(2)O`
(iii) a substitution of-OH group of-COOH and H-atom of the alcohol. Thus,
`R-overset(O)overset(||)C-OH+H-OC_(2)H_(5)overset(H_(3)O^(+))toR-overset(O)overset(||)C-OC_(2)H_(5)+H_(2)O`