What are the conditions for making methyl ethanoate from ethanoic acid and methanol?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Warm with a small amount of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst
- Step 1: Esterification is a reversible condensation reaction. Step 2. The acid catalyst speeds up reaching equilibrium. Answer: Warm with a small amount of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Why not the others: alkaline reflux hydrolyses esters; without a catalyst it is too slow; dichromate is an oxidising agent.
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