Fischer esterification reaction

Definition

A Fischer esterification reaction is a chemical process where a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an ester and water. It is an equilibrium process that is often driven to completion by removing the water formed during the reaction.

Related terms

Carboxylic Acid: An organic compound containing a carboxyl group (-COOH), which reacts with alcohols to produce esters.

Alcohol: An organic compound characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom, which can react with carboxylic acids to form esters.

Acid Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process; used in Fischer esterification to facilitate the formation of esters from carboxylic acids and alcohols