Chemistry Alcohols & Phenols MDCAT 2017
PMDC Verified Question 77 of 95
\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{CH}_3-\text{COOH} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{?}\) what will be the exact product
A
Diethyl ether
B
Ethyl acetate
C
Methyl propyl ether
D
Butyl alcohol
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: Ethyl acetate
Concept:

The reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst (like conc. \(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)) is Fischer esterification.

Formula:

$$ \text{R-COOH} + \text{R'-OH} \rightleftharpoons \text{R-COOR'} + \text{H}_2\text{O} $$

Solution:

  • Acetic acid (\(\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}\)) reacts with ethanol (\(\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}\)).


  • The hydroxyl group from the acid and the hydrogen from the alcohol are removed as water.


  • The resulting ester is \(\text{CH}_3\text{COOC}_2\text{H}_5\), known as ethyl acetate (or ethyl ethanoate).


Why other options are incorrect:

Diethyl ether requires dehydration of ethanol alone at 140°C. This is an esterification, not an etherification or cross-coupling.

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