Chemistry Equilibrium Help?

Question

http://www.bi10etc.com/esterification.pdf

Could some other acid have been used as the catalyst? Why?

Answer 1

Step 1:

The process of combining alcohol with an acid to produce esters is Esterification. It is condensed reaction and water is eliminated in the process.

The reverse reaction can also occur  the ester can recombine with water and produce alcohol.

So to prevent reverse reactions, Sulfuric acid is used.

Since sulfuric acid is regenerated in the reaction, it acts as an catalyst but not as an reactant.

Sulfuric acid readily donated H⁺ ions when compared to other acid catalyst.

H⁺ ions reacts with carboxylic acids to condense the reaction and making the reaction stable.

So the rate of the reaction increases.

Step 2:

Other acid catalyst like hydrochloric acid or nitric acid can act as catalyst but forms side reactions or can oxidize the carboxylic acid.

Sulfuric acids readily donates proton in the reaction when compared to other catalyst.

Sulfuric acid can act as good catalyst because the reaction is stable, does not forms side reactions and does not oxidizes carboxylic acids.

Solution:

Sulfuric acid can act as good catalyst than another acids.