Question

What happens when propanoic acid is warmed with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid? Write equation of the reaction involved.

Answer 1

When propanoic acid is warmed with methanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid in it, esterification takes place and an ester named methyl propanoate is formed along with water.

The chemical equation for the above reaction is:
C₂H₅COOH + CH₃OH → C₂H₅COOCH₃ + H₂O.