Esterification (Alcohol & Carboxylic acid) - Reactions Mechanism & Uses with Videos (2024)

What is Esterification?

The chemical reaction that takes place during the formation of the ester is called esterification.

Esterification is the process of combining an organic acid (RCOOH) with an alcohol (ROH) to form an ester (RCOOR) and water; or a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of at least one ester product. Ester is obtained by an esterification reaction of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

Table of Contents

• What is Esterification Reaction?
• Esterification Mechanism
• Esterification Methods
• Properties of Esters
• Uses of Esters
• Recommended Videos
• Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

The chemical reaction for esterification is given below.

What is Esterification Reaction?

When primary alcohol is treated with a carboxylic acid in the presence of sulphuric acid a compound is formed. This compound has a sweet smell. The compound obtained is called ester. The chemical reaction occurring in the formation of the ester is known as an esterification reaction.

CH₃COOH + CH₃CH₂COOH → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃

Esterification Mechanism

This process involves five steps. We have discussed the steps below:

Step 1: Cation formation

Step 2: Delocalized carbocation

Carboxyl oxygen gets protonated to give delocalized carbocation making the carbocation a better electrophile.

Step 3: Transfer of proton

A proton is transferred to one of the hydroxyl groups to form a good leaving group.

Step 4: Formation of the pi bond

The hydroxy group’s alcohol oxygen atom donates a pair of electrons to a carbon atom which makes a π bond by eliminating water. The concentration of water is less than methanol, therefore, it is not a feasible nucleophile to reverse the reaction.

Step 5: Ester formation

Esterification Methods

Esterification can happen in three ways. They are discussed below:

1. From acid anhydride and alcohol
2. From acid chloride and alcohol
3. From carboxylic acid and alcohol

1. Acid anhydride and alcohol

The reaction between alcohol and acid anhydride is comparatively slower when compared to acid chloride. To get a number of esters it is required to warm the mixture. For instance, consider 2,6-diiodophenol.

2,6-diiodophenol reacts with an acid anhydride to form ester.

2. Acid chloride and alcohol

Esterification process can also be performed with alcohol and acid chloride at room temperature. Ester is obtained with steamy acidic fumes of hydrogen chloride. For instance, benzoyl chloride.

Reaction of alcohol and benzoyl chloride to form ester.

3. Carboxylic acid and alcohol

Production of esters from carboxylic acid and alcohol. Heat them in the presence of acid catalyst such as sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is used as a catalyst. For example, reaction of ethanoic acid and propanol to form propyl-ethanoate and water.

Properties of Esters

• The name of an ester is derived from its carboxylic acid that takes part in the esterification reaction.
• They have a pleasant smell.
• They have a wide application in the perfume and food industries.
• Esters are organic compounds found in oils and fats.

Uses of Esters

Some common uses of esters are mentioned below.

• Esters that have fragrance are used in perfumes, food flavourings, and cosmetics.
• Used as an organic solvent.
• Nitroglycerin is known and famous for its explosive properties.
• In the manufacturing of surfactants like detergents and soaps.
• Natural occurring esters are present in pheromones
• The backbone of DNA molecules is formed by phospo esters.
• Polyesters are used in the production of plastics

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