If you look at a reaction equation for an esterification reaction, you cannot te

Question

If you look at a reaction equation for an esterification reaction, you cannot tell where the oxygen comes from (acid or alcohol). Knowing the mechanism of this reaction, devise an experiment using O^18, to help prove unequivocally where the oxygen comes from. If you look at a reaction equation for an esterification reaction, you cannot tell where the oxygen comes from (acid or alcohol). Knowing the mechanism of this reaction, devise an experiment using O^18, to help prove unequivocally where the oxygen comes from.

Explanation / Answer

CH3COOH + CH3O18H------> CH3COO18 CH3 + H2O

make either O18labeled acid. Run the esterification reaction. If the O18shows up in the product then you know the oxygen from the acid is the one from the acid. if there is no O18 in the product then the oxygen is from the alcohol. alcohol. The same experiment can be done with O18 labeled alcohol. In this case if the O18 is found in the product then the oxygen is coming from the alcohol. If it is not there then the oxygen is coming from the acid.

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