Final answer:
The reaction between ethyl hexanoate and an excess of 3-methylbutan-1-ol in the presence of an acid catalyst will produce 3-methylbutyl hexanoate through an esterification process.
Step-by-step explanation:
If ethyl hexanoate is reacted with an excess of 3-methylbutan-1-ol and an acid catalyst, the type of reaction that will occur is known as esterification. This reaction typically involves combining an alcohol with a carboxylic acid ester to form a different ester and an alcohol. Given that ethyl hexanoate (a carboxylic acid ester) is being reacted with 3-methylbutan-1-ol (an alcohol), the product will be a new ester where the ethyl group in ethyl hexanoate is replaced by the 3-methylbutyl group from 3-methylbutan-1-ol. Therefore, the main product of this reaction will be 3-methylbutyl hexanoate. The reaction is facilitated by an acid catalyst, which increases the rate of ester formation.