Final answer:
To produce an ester through esterification, you need an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Step-by-step explanation:
To produce an ester through esterification, you need two key components: an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. The alcohol molecule contributes one alkyl side and the carboxylic acid contributes the other side. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst. The amounts of alcohol and carboxylic acid needed depend on the desired quantity of ester to be produced.