WAEC - Chemistry (2024 - No. 31)
Which of the following conditions are necessary for the preparation of alkanoates from alkanols and alkanoic acid?
Water and NaOH
Conc. H\(_2\)SO\(_4\) and heat
NaOH and heat
water and aqueous HCl
Forklaring
Esterification reaction is the reaction between an alkanol (alcohol) and an alkanoic acid (carboxylic acid) in the presence of an acid catalyst forms an ester (alkanoate) and water. To produce alkanoates (esters) from alkanols and alkanoic acids, you need to perform esterification, which requires a concentrated acid catalyst (like sulphuric acid) and heat.