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Explain the mechanism of esterification of carboxylic acid. (Feb. ' 16) |
Answer» Solution :The esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols is a nucleophilic acylic SUBSTITUTION . The carboxylic ACID is protonated on its carboxyl oxygen atom . Alcohol acts as a nucleophilic and attacks carboxyl CARBON . Loss of proton gives ester HYDRATE.  Further , one of the -OH group of ester hydrate gets protnated and water molecule departs.  Theloss of proton from second HYDROXYL group gives ester.  In esterification , water molecule is formed by the combination of H - atom of the alcohol and - OH group of the carboxylic acid. |
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