Which reactants produce an ester?

A) Carboxylic acid and alcohol

B) Alcohol and an oxidizing agent

C) Acid and base

D) Acid and salt

A) Carboxylic acid and alcohol

Explanation:

Esters are produced by the esterification of carboxylic acid with alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. This process is essentially a condensation reaction in which a molecule of water is released along with the formation of the ester.

For example consider the reaction of acetic acid (CH3COOH) with methanol (CH3OH):

CH3COOH + HOCH3 → CH3COOCH3 + H2O

The product formed is acetoacetic ester along with a molecule of water.

The answer is Carboxylic acid and alcohol.