Esterification
The acid-catalysed condensation of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol to form an ester and water.
Formula / equation
RCOOH + R′OH ⇌ RCOOR′ + H₂O
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
The reaction is reversible and slow, so a concentrated acid catalyst is used and equilibrium is pushed towards the ester by using excess alcohol or removing water. Esters are responsible for the characteristic fragrances of fruits and are widely used as solvents and flavourings.
Examples in the real world
Ethanoic acid with ethanol giving ethyl ethanoate, which smells of pear drops; methyl butanoate smells of apple.