Help with Esterification Reaction Hypothesis
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:45 pm
Hello,
I am doing a science experiment that will compare the effects of different organic acids on ethanol concentrations in a solution to see which acid is the most effective at removing ethanol through the process of esterification. Basically, I will add one of benzoic acid, acetic acid, or citric acid to 3 test tubes and compare the resulting ethanol concentration of each. I know that in the process of esterification, a carboxylic acid and alcohol combine to form an ester and water, but I'm struggling to write my hypothesis. So far, I have -
I hypothesize that if different organic acids are added to ethanol, then benzoic acid will cause the greatest decrease in ethanol concentration because it is the strongest acid, so there will be a higher amount of hydrogen ions present in the reaction, making the esterification reaction more effective.
Does this make sense, or is there some logical flaw in my reasoning? If it doesn't make a lot of sense, I would really appreciate it if someone could help explain how I could predict which acid will cause the greatest decrease in ethanol concentration.
Thanks for all the help.
I am doing a science experiment that will compare the effects of different organic acids on ethanol concentrations in a solution to see which acid is the most effective at removing ethanol through the process of esterification. Basically, I will add one of benzoic acid, acetic acid, or citric acid to 3 test tubes and compare the resulting ethanol concentration of each. I know that in the process of esterification, a carboxylic acid and alcohol combine to form an ester and water, but I'm struggling to write my hypothesis. So far, I have -
I hypothesize that if different organic acids are added to ethanol, then benzoic acid will cause the greatest decrease in ethanol concentration because it is the strongest acid, so there will be a higher amount of hydrogen ions present in the reaction, making the esterification reaction more effective.
Does this make sense, or is there some logical flaw in my reasoning? If it doesn't make a lot of sense, I would really appreciate it if someone could help explain how I could predict which acid will cause the greatest decrease in ethanol concentration.
Thanks for all the help.