Sure, here is the step by step process of how propanoic acid forms an ester when it reacts with ethanol in the presence of a catalyst:

1. The reaction between propanoic acid and ethanol to form an ester is known as esterification. The general formula for this reaction is: Carboxylic Acid + Alcohol → Ester + Water.

2. In this case, propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) reacts with ethanol (CH3CH2OH). The catalyst is usually a strong acid like sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

3. The reaction can be represented as follows: CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2OH → CH3CH2COOCH2CH3 + H2O.

4. The propanoic acid and ethanol molecules come into contact with each other in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst helps to speed up the reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

5. The -OH group from the propanoic acid molecule reacts with the -H from the ethanol molecule to form water (H2O).

6. The remaining parts of the propanoic acid and ethanol molecules then combine to form the ester, which in this case is propyl ethanoate (CH3CH2COOCH2CH3).

7. The reaction is reversible, meaning it can go in both directions. However, the formation of the ester is favored because water is also produced in the reaction, which tends to shift the equilibrium towards the right (Le Chatelier's principle).

8. The ester that is formed has a pleasant smell and is often used in perfumes and flavorings.

Question

Sure, here is the step by step process of how propanoic acid forms an ester when it reacts with ethanol in the presence of a catalyst:

1. The reaction between propanoic acid and ethanol to form an ester is known as esterification. The general formula for this reaction is: Carboxylic Acid + Alcohol → Ester + Water.

2. In this case, propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) reacts with ethanol (CH3CH2OH). The catalyst is usually a strong acid like sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

3. The reaction can be represented as follows: CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2OH → CH3CH2COOCH2CH3 + H2O.

4. The propanoic acid and ethanol molecules come into contact with each other in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst helps to speed up the reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

5. The -OH group from the propanoic acid molecule reacts with the -H from the ethanol molecule to form water (H2O).

6. The remaining parts of the propanoic acid and ethanol molecules then combine to form the ester, which in this case is propyl ethanoate (CH3CH2COOCH2CH3).

7. The reaction is reversible, meaning it can go in both directions. However, the formation of the ester is favored because water is also produced in the reaction, which tends to shift the equilibrium towards the right (Le Chatelier's principle).

8. The ester that is formed has a pleasant smell and is often used in perfumes and flavorings.

Knowee AI · Accepted Answer