Fischer esterification

Fischer esterification is a chemical process used to create an ester from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. It involves mixing these two substances in the presence of an acid catalyst, usually sulfuric acid. When heated, the acid and alcohol combine through a reversible reaction, forming an ester—a compound with a pleasant smell—and water. The process is common in producing fragrances, flavors, and plastics. Because it's reversible, removing the water as it's formed helps drive the reaction toward creating more ester, making the process efficient for producing desired chemical compounds.