Question

In acids, low rate of esterification and a low limit of reaction go together.

(a) True

(b) False

The question was asked in an interview.

My question is taken from Esterification by Organic Acids in portion Esterification of Unit Processes

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) False

Easy explanation: with the alcohols, low rate of esterification and a low limit of reaction go together, it is quite otherwise with the acids. The esterification of the unsaturated acids, cinnamic and sorbic, starts off much more slowly than that of the corresponding saturated acids but goes somewhat faster. Formic acid, which has an extremely high initial rate, has a relatively low limit.