Fischer Esterification

  
   
 

Fischer esterification is an organic reaction used to convert a carboxylic acid and an alcohol to an ester using an acid catalyst.

  
 

Mechanism

  • The addition of a proton or a Lewis acid generates a more reactive electrophilic carbon.
  • The alcohol carries out a nucleophilic attack on the electrophilic carbon of the carboxylic acid.
  • One of the two hydroxyl groups generated, which are equivalent, is eliminated through a tautomerism and the corresponding ester is obtained.