Question

Benzoic acid may be converted into ethyl benzoate by reaction with

• A. sodium ethoxide
• B. ethyl chloride
• C. dry HCI, $C_2 H_5 OH$
• D. ethanol

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

dry HCI, $C_2 H_5 OH$

Answer 2

Ethyl benzoate is prepared by reacting benzoic acid and ethanol in the presence of dry HCI. This reactioh is known as esterification reaction
$_{ \, \, \, Benzoic acid \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, Ethanol \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, Ethyl benzoate}^{ C_6H_5COOH +C_2H_5OH \, \rightleftharpoons_{HCI}^{Dry} \, \, \, C_6H_5COOC_2H_5 '}$
\hspace65mm +H_2O
This reaction proceed with equilibrium.
Therefore, $H_2O$ continuously removed from reaction. For preparation of ester product.