Question

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: The esterification of carboxylic acid with an alcohol is a nucleophilic acyl substitution.

Statement II: Electron withdrawing groups in the carboxylic acid will increase the rate of esterification reaction.

Choose the most appropriate option

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine the correctness of the given statements, let's analyze each one based on chemical principles:

Statement I: The esterification of carboxylic acid with an alcohol is a nucleophilic acyl substitution.

This statement is correct.

The esterification reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol forms an ester. In this process, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the carboxylic acid is replaced by the alkoxy group (-OR) of the alcohol, leading to the formation of water as a byproduct. This is indeed a type of nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction, where the nucleophile (alcohol) attacks the acyl carbon of the carboxylic acid, substituting its -OH group.

Statement II: Electron withdrawing groups in the carboxylic acid will increase the rate of the esterification reaction.

This statement is correct.

Electron withdrawing groups (EWGs), such as nitro groups (-NO₂), on the aromatic ring of a carboxylic acid enhance the electrophilic character of the carbonyl carbon. They do this by withdrawing electron density, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the alcohol. This increased positive character of the carbonyl carbon facilitates the nucleophilic substitution, thus accelerating the esterification process.

Conclusion:

After evaluating both statements, we can conclude that both are correct. Thus, the most appropriate option is:

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.