How to Make Esters: Mechanism

The alcohol attacks the carboxylic acid (nucleophilic attack) and the carbonyl becomes C-O(-).  The OH group of the carboxylic acid is protonated, and then it leaves (H2O is a great leaving group) and the C-O(-) becomes a carbonyl (C=O) once again.

Check me out: http://www.chemistnate.com

• #education
• #chemistnatechem
• #ester
• #esterification
• #mechanism
• #nucleophilic
• #alcohol
• #carboxylic_acid
• #synthesis
• #attack
• #chemistnateorganic
• #organic
• #chemistry