Esterification is the general name for a chemical reaction in that an ester is the reaction product. Esterification reactions include the Fischer esterification (refluxing acarboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst) and the reaction of a carboxylic acid halogenide with an alcohol.

Examples

The Fischer esterification of acetic acid in excess ethanol in the presence of sulfuric acid resulting in the ester ethyl acetate.

See also

• Transesterification, a reaction to transform one ester into a different ester.
• Hydrolysis, the cleavage of an ester with water back to a carboxylic acid and alcohol.

de:Veresterung es:Esterificación nl:Verestering pl:Estryfikacja