A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare effectively for the A Level Chemistry OCR Exam with our valuable resources, including multiple choice questions and hints. Unlock your potential and ace your exam with comprehensive practice materials designed for your success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

During esterification, what by-product is generated alongside the ester?

Alcohol
Aldehyde
Water
Carbon dioxide

The correct answer is: Water

Esterification is a chemical reaction that occurs when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, leading to the formation of an ester and a by-product. In this process, the hydroxyl group (-OH) from the carboxylic acid and a hydrogen atom from the alcohol combine to produce water (H₂O). This reaction can be represented by the general equation: RCOOH + R'OH → RCOOR' + H₂O Here, RCOOH represents the carboxylic acid, R'OH represents the alcohol, and RCOOR' is the ester formed. The water produced is a crucial by-product of the esterification process. Other potential options do not correctly represent a by-product of this reaction. For example, alcohol is a reactant, not a by-product, and aldehyde and carbon dioxide are not generated during this particular reaction. Thus, the formation of water is a defining characteristic of esterification. This reinforces the significance of water in understanding the reaction's mechanisms and products.