CH3CH2CH2CH2OH + CH3CH2CH2COOH → CH3CH2CH=CH2 + H2O
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The reaction you’ve provided appears to be an example of an esterification reaction, but with a specific focus on the formation of an alkene. To clarify, the reaction:CH3CH2CH2CH2OH+CH3CH2CH2COOH→CH3CH2CH=CH2+H2OCH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH + CH_3CH_2CH_2COOH \rightarrow CH_3CH_2CH=CH_2 + H_2OCH3CH2CH2CH2OH+CH3CH2CH2COOH→CH3CH2CH=CH2+H2O
involves butanol (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH) reacting with butanoic acid (CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH), which undergoes a dehydration reaction to form an alkene (specifically butene, CH₃CH₂CH=CH₂) and water (H₂O).
Explanation:
- Reactants:
- Butanol (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH) is a four-carbon alcohol.
- Butanoic acid (CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH) is a four-carbon carboxylic acid.
- Reaction Mechanism:
- Dehydration: In the presence of heat or a suitable catalyst (e.g., sulfuric acid), the alcohol and carboxylic acid undergo a dehydration reaction.
- This involves the removal of a water molecule (H₂O). The hydroxyl group (-OH) from the alcohol and a hydrogen atom (H) from the carboxyl group (-COOH) are eliminated as water, leaving behind a double bond between the carbons that were previously attached to the -OH and -COOH groups.
- Product Formation:
- The remaining molecule is butene (CH₃CH₂CH=CH₂), which is an alkene with a double bond between the second and third carbons.
- This reaction results in the formation of an alkene through the elimination of a water molecule.
- Esterification vs. Dehydration:
- Typically, esterification involves the formation of an ester (e.g., ethyl butanoate) and water when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid.
- However, in this case, the reaction seems to be a dehydration reaction because it forms an alkene instead of an ester.
This reaction highlights the process by which alcohols and carboxylic acids can undergo dehydration under the right conditions to form alkenes, commonly referred to as elimination reactions.
