Ease of esterification of the following alcohols CH3CH2OH(I) ,(CH3 )2CHOH(II) and (CH3)3COH(III) with HCOOH is:
Correct answer: B. III < II < I
- A. I < II < III
- B. III < II < I
- C. III > II < I
- D. I = II = III
Explanation
In the case of the esterification of alcohol, there is the cleavage of the O-H bond. So, the reactivity of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols will vary accordingly.In the reactions involving cleavage of the O-H bond, the oxygen atom is to take up the electron pair from the bond. The presence of an alkyl group with a +I (inductive) effect tends to increase the electron density around the oxygen atom. Consequently, the bond cleavage in the O-H bond becomes difficult. Or, we can say that the alkyl group decreases the polarity of the O-H bond thereby making the release of H+ difficult. This adversely affects the reactivity of alcohol. The greater the number of alkyl groups present in the alcohol, the lesser will be its reactivity.
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About Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids are named and studied through the combined effects of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, their preparation, acidity and hydrogen bonding. Reactions include neutralisation, esterification, reduction and conversion into acid chlorides, anhydrides, esters and amides, with emphasis on how these derivatives interconvert.
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