Organic chem- esterification mechanism?

Question

There are 2 questions in my lab report:

1. Write out mechanism for generic Fischer esterification without acid catalyst.

2. Write out mechanism for Fischer esterification with acid catalyst. Note the similarities b/t with and without acid catalyst.

I know what the mechanism for acid-catalyzed is, but I thought one of the requirements of Fischer esterification was that there be an acid catalyst. What does he mean by "generic" mechanism???

Answer 1

You are correct that a Fischer projection requires an acid catalyst.  It is extremely slow without one.

One possible answer is to use a molecule of the carboxylic acid as the catalyst rather than an added acid catalyst.

Another is to add the alcohol to the C=O carbon and have a + on the alcohol O after the addition and a - on the former C=O oxygen.  Move the extra H to the OH that came from the carboxylic acid then bring the electrons on the O- down and lose H2O.