Chemistry Carboxylic Acids MDCAT 2018
PMDC Verified Question 70 of 94
Which product is formed by the reaction of carboxylic acid with alcohol?
A
Ester
B
Aldehyde
C
Alkane
D
Ether
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: Ester
Concept:

The condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol forms an ester and water. This is universally known as Fischer esterification.

Formula:

$$ \text{RCOOH} + \text{R}'\text{OH} \rightleftharpoons \text{RCOOR}' + \text{H}_2\text{O} $$

Solution:

  • The \(-\text{OH}\) from the acid and the \(-\text{H}\) from the alcohol combine to exit as water.


  • The remaining fragments bond via an oxygen atom to form the ester linkage (\( \text{-COO-} \)).


Why other options are incorrect:

Aldehydes, alkanes, and ethers require entirely different synthetic pathways (oxidation, reduction, or Williamson ether synthesis, respectively).

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