Question

Draw a Fischer esterification reaction of: Propyl propionate (alcohol) and propionic acid (acetic acid) ( include lone pairs, arrows electron flow)

Answer 1

So in Fischer esterification reaction we use carboxylic acid and alcohol so to prepare propyl propionate we require propanoic acid and propanol and this reaction is carried out in presence of acid so in presence of acid the carbonyl O gets protonated and then attack on the carbonyl carbon of alcohol takes place then there is removal of H2O from the compound to form the corresponding ester molecule the mechanism is as shown below;