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21.6: Condensation of Acids with Alcohols- The Fischer Esterification

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    424398
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    Carboxylic acids can react with alcohols to form esters in a process called Fischer esterification. An acid catalyst is required and the alcohol is also used as the reaction solvent. The oxygen atoms are color-coded in the reaction below to help understand the reaction mechanism.

    1.jpg

    For example, butanoic acid reacts with methanol to synthsize methylbutanoate. It is important to note that any proton source can be used as the catalyst. Sulfuric acid is shown in the example below.

    3.jpg

    Mechanism

    1) Protonation of the carbonyl by the acid. The carbonyl is now activated toward nucleophilic reactions.

    4.jpg

    2) Nucleophilic reaction at the carbonyl

    5.jpg

    3) Proton transfer

    6.jpg

    4) Water leaves

    7.jpg

    5) Deprotonation

    8.jpg

    Isotopic Labeling

    Evidence to support the Fischer esterfication mechanism comes from isotopic labeling experiments with oxygen-18. If the reaction is carried out with oxygen-18 labeled alcohol, the isotope is found exclusively in the ester and not the water generated.

    ch 21 sect 6 example isotope labeled Fischer.png

    Exercise

    6. Draw the bond-line structures for the products of the following reactions.

    ch 21 sect 6 exercise.png

    Answer

    6.

    ch 21 sect 6 exercise solution.png

    Contributors and Attributions


    21.6: Condensation of Acids with Alcohols- The Fischer Esterification is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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