Predict the esterification products of the following acid/alcohol pairs.
(a) CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH + CH₃OH
(b) CH₃OH + HNO₃
(c) 2 CH₃CH₂OH + H₃PO₄

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the esterification reaction. Esterification is a chemical reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, typically in the presence of an acid catalyst, to form an ester and water. For phosphoric acid (H3PO4), it can react with alcohols to form phosphate esters.
2. Step 2: Analyze pair (a): CH3CH2CH2COOH (butanoic acid) reacts with CH3OH (methanol). The hydroxyl group (-OH) from the carboxylic acid and the hydrogen atom from the alcohol's hydroxyl group combine to form water (H2O). The remaining parts form the ester. The ester will have the structure CH3CH2CH2COOCH3.
3. Step 3: Analyze pair (b): CH3OH (methanol) reacts with HNO3 (nitric acid). Nitric acid can act as an acid in esterification reactions. Methanol will donate its hydroxyl group (-OH), and nitric acid will contribute its -NO3 group to form methyl nitrate (CH3ONO2). Water is also produced.
4. Step 4: Analyze pair (c): 2CH3CH2OH (ethanol) reacts with H3PO4 (phosphoric acid). Phosphoric acid can form mono-, di-, or tri-esters depending on the number of alcohol molecules reacting. In this case, two ethanol molecules react to form diethyl phosphate ((CH3CH2O)2PO2H) and water.
5. Step 5: Summarize the general process for esterification: Identify the acid and alcohol, determine the parts that combine to form water, and write the structure of the ester formed by combining the remaining fragments. Ensure proper naming and structural representation of the products.

Key Concepts

Esterification Reaction

Esterification is a chemical reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, resulting in the formation of an ester and water. This reaction typically occurs under acidic conditions and involves the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol's hydroxyl group on the carbonyl carbon of the acid, leading to the elimination of a water molecule.

Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds characterized by the presence of one or more carboxyl groups (-COOH). They are known for their acidic properties and can react with alcohols to form esters through esterification. The structure and reactivity of carboxylic acids are crucial for predicting the products of reactions involving these compounds.

Alcohols

Alcohols are organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom. They can act as nucleophiles in esterification reactions, where their hydroxyl group attacks the carbonyl carbon of a carboxylic acid. The type of alcohol used can influence the structure and properties of the resulting ester.