Esterification??????????/

Question

could someone give me background info on this

Answer 1

An ester is a derivative of an alcohol and an acid.  In most cases the acid would be a carboxylic acid, but esters of phosphoric acid (ATP for example), sulphuric acid, nitric acid ('nitroglycerine' is strictly an ester).

In the simplest case they may be formed by direct reaction between the acid and the alcohol - and this process is termed ESTERIFICATION.

RCOOH + HOR' <=> RCOOR' + H2O  (an equilibrium)

acid + alcohol --> ester + water

though they can be formed in a number of other ways that, not being equilibria, will give better yields.

Answer 2

There might be more then one use to this term but I have always heard it being used to refer to the formation of an ester. Specifically, when you react a carboxylic acid with an alcohol you form an ester and this process as a whole is known as esterification.  

Answer 3

ester has to carbon chains separated by a carbonyl and a carbon oxygen single covalent bond. it's formed via a hundred and one techniques. if you would like any more specific information just ask.