Question

A sterically unhindered alcohol and a sterically unhindered carboxylic acid are allowed to react in the presence of sulfuric acid. If a 1:1 mole ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol is used, what is the maximum % yield of ester that may be isolated?

a) 50%
b) 75%
c) 100%
d) 25%

Answer 1

The maximum % yield of the ester is 100% if a 1:1 mole ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol is used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The percent yield of the ester can be determined by comparing the actual yield to the theoretical yield. In this case, the maximum % yield can be calculated by assuming that the reaction goes to completion and the limiting reactant is completely consumed. Since a 1:1 mole ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol is used, the maximum % yield of the ester is 100%. This means that if the reaction proceeds perfectly, all of the carboxylic acid and alcohol will be converted to ester.