[PDF] Process Intensification in the Synthesis of Organic Esters

What are the steps involved in the esterification process?

The “hydro-esterification” process is a two-step process. First, there is a hydrolysis of the raw material that can be constituted by oils, fats, fatty acids or any mixture of them. The hydrolysis converts all triglycerides present in the raw material into fatty acids. The fatty acids are then submitted to the esterification reaction.

What are the catalysts needed for esterification?

The catalyst in use is usually concentrated sulphuric acid. Alternatively, dry hydrogen chloride gas is useful in some cases which incline towards aromatic sweet-smelling esters, the ones with the benzene ring. The chemical reaction which occurs during the formation of the ester is known as the esterification reaction.

What is the reaction involved in esterification?

Esterification occurs when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol. This reaction can only occur in the presence of an acid catalyst and heat. It takes a lot of energy to remove the -OH from the carboxylic acid, so a catalyst and heat are needed to produce the necessary energy.

What is the definition of esterification?

Esterification is an equilibrium reaction to form ester mainly from alcohols and carboxylic acids. Esters can also be made from the reactions between acyl chlorides (acid chlorides) and alcohols, and from acid anhydrides and alcohols. Here carboxylic acid and alcohol reacts to form an ester. Thus this is an esterification reaction.