Question

Why sulphuric acid is used as a catalyst in esterification rather than hydrochloric acid?

Answer 1

Although any strong acid will catalyse it, sulfuric acid has a strong afinity for water, since water is the byproduct of the esterification reaction, sulfuric acid will help drive the reaction further to the right (products side).

Answer 2

sulphuric acid is little more stronger then hydrochloric acid,so it is used in esterification to produce ester