Esterification reaction generally refers to the
formation of esters by the interaction of alcohols and carboxylic acids.
Alternatively, it refers to as the process of formation of an ester by the
reaction between an alkanol and an acid. It is a reversible process and does
not proceed to any appreciable extent in the absence of catalysts or supercritical
condition. This process is described as an acidcatalyzed equilibrium synthesis
developed by Emil Fischer. It is the simplest pathway among several pathways
used in synthesis of esters. When catalysed by a strong acid usuallytetraoxosulphate (VI) acid, the reaction is called Fisher esterification. This
important process is one of the most organic reactions in chemical and allied
industries visa vis its applications as intermediate in the synthesis of fine
chemicals, drugs, perfumes, food preservatives, and also in the production of
biodiesels via transesterification. It is widely applied from the preparation
of highly specialized esters in the chemical laboratory to the production of
millions of tons of commercial ester products.
Esterification process can be
carried out either as a batch or a continuous process. The batch procedure
involves a single pot reactor that is filled with the acid and alcohol
reactants. The acid catalyst is added and the water removed as the reactionproceeds. This method is most often used in the chemical laboratories, but in a
few cases, it is used by industry to make large quantities of esters. Ethyl
acetate is a colorless liquid with a characteristic smell.
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