Question
The ester, ethyl acetate is formed by the reaction of ethanol and acetic acid and equilibrium is represented as
We do not use dilute aqueous solution for this reaction. Why?
Solution
Since water is formed in the reaction, by taking dilute aqueous solution, the molar concentration of water will increase considerably. As a result, the equilibrium will shift in the backward direction. The above expression for equilibrium constant will no longer hold good because then [H2O] = 1.
