What is the role of concentrated H2SO4 in esterification reaction?
Answers
Explanation:
Esterification is a relatively slow process at room temperature and does not proceed to completion. Concentrated sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst, and has a dual role: Speeds up the reaction. Acts as a dehydrating agent, forcing the equilibrium to the right and resulting in a greater yield of ester.
Answer:
Esterification is a relatively slow process at room temperature & does not proceed to completion. concentrated sulphuric acid is used as a catalyst,& has a dual role speeds up the reaction.Acts as a dehydrating agent, forcing the equilibrium to the right and resulting in a greater yield of ester.Only very small amounts of sulfuric acid are used, as large amounts would be wasteful, uneconomical, and would complicate the final separation processes.
Therefore, the addition of the acid does not have a considerable impact on the yield of ester.
In addition to the catalyst, esterification reactions are usually carried out at temperatures near the boiling point of the alcohol being reacted, which also increases the reaction rate.