Question
Give the major product of the reaction of ethanol with:
(i) Ethanoic anhydride (CH3CO)2O.
(ii) Ethanol chloride in the presence of pyridine.
Solution
i) Ethanol react with ethanoic anhydride to form esters.
CH3CH2OH+ (CH3CO)2O → CH3OCOC2H5
ii) When ethanol react with ethanol chloride in the presence of pyridine, it also form esters.
CH3CH2OH +CH3COCl → CH3OCOC2H5