Acetic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst to form ethyl acetate (the — Organic Chemistry Chemistry Question
Question
Acetic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst to form ethyl acetate (the Fischer esterification reaction). What is the role of the acid catalyst?
A.✓ Correct
It makes the carboxylic acid more electrophilic by protonating the carbonyl oxygen.
B.
It makes the ethanol more nucleophilic by protonating the hydroxyl oxygen.
C.
It converts the hydroxyl group of ethanol to a better leaving group.
D.
It shifts the equilibrium in the direction of the ester product.
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