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Organic Chemistry and Analysis

Esterification and the hydrolysis of esters

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  • Components 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the acid catalyst and reversibility of esterification, the acid anhydride route, and the products of acid and of base hydrolysis.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

What is eliminated when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester, what forms when an acid anhydride reacts with an alcohol, and what is the general equation?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What catalyst is used in the esterification of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol?

    Model answer

    Concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

  2. 2

    Is the esterification reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol reversible or irreversible?

    Model answer

    It is reversible.

  3. 3

    What small molecule is eliminated when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester?

    Model answer

    Water.

  4. 4

    What are the products when an acid anhydride reacts with an alcohol?

    Model answer

    An ester and a carboxylic acid.

  5. 5

    Write the general equation for the reaction of an acid anhydride with an alcohol.

    Model answer

    (RCO)₂O + R′OH → RCOOR′ + RCOOH

  6. 6

    What conditions are required for the acid hydrolysis of an ester?

    Model answer

    Heating under reflux with dilute acid such as H₂SO₄ or HCl.

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AThe first step is Cl• + O₃ → ClO• + O₂.
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In ClO⁻, chlorine has oxidation number +1.
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