The product of an esterification reaction between which of the following molecules would be an oil?
I.CH₃ (CH₂) ₁₄COOH
II.CH₃ (CH₂) ₇CHCH(CH₂) ₇COOH
III.HOCH₂CH₂OH
IV.HOCH₂CH(OH) CH₂OH

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Esterification reactions produce esters, which can have different physical properties depending on their structure. Oils are usually long-chain esters with low melting points, so we need to identify the esterification reaction(s) that produce long-chain esters. Choice II has a long unsaturated side chain, and thus it is a good candidate for producing an oil. Choice III is a diol and cannot form an ester by itself, so it is irrelevant. Choice IV has two hydroxyl groups and cannot form an ester by itself either. Choice I has a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, so it can undergo esterification, but the resulting ester is not necessarily an oil. Therefore, the only choices that can form an oil are II and IV, and the correct answer is C.

The Product of an Esterification Reaction Between Which of the Following