Question
The ester, ethyl acetate, is formed by the reaction of ethanal and acetic acid and equilibrium is represented as
(i) Why some concentrated sulphuric acid is usually added to the reaction mixture in a laboratory preparation of ethyl acetate?
(ii) Since the heat of reaction is nearly zero for this reaction, how will the equilibrium constant depend on upon the temperature?
Solution
(i) Concentrated sulphuric acid is a dehydrating agent. It can absorb water. According to Le-Chatelier’s principle, the removal of water from the reaction mixture, equilibrium will shift in the forward direction producing more of ethyl acetate.
(ii) Since the heat of reaction is nearly zero, the equilibrium constant is almost not affected by temperature.
