WAEC Chemistry 2015 Theory — Question 1
Question 1 of 49 from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Chemistry 2015 Theory paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation.
Advertisement
1(a). Define esterification.
Model answer
Esterification is the reaction between an alkanol (alcohol) and an alkanoic acid (carboxylic acid) to give an alkanoate (ester) and water, in the presence of a mineral acid catalyst: ROH + R'COOH ⇌ R'COOR + H₂O. For example, ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacts with ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) to yield ethylethanoate (CH₃COOC₂H₅) and water.
Advertisement
Sign up free to unlock
- Score tracking
- Practice history
- Saved questions
- Progress dashboard
- Personalized sessions
- Weak-topic breakdown
…and/or go further with premium services and No Ads.