Statement I : p-nitrobenzoic acid is more reactive than benzoic acid i...
Electron withdrawing nitro group increases electrophilic character of —COOH, hence increases reactivity in Fischer’s esterification.
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Statement I : p-nitrobenzoic acid is more reactive than benzoic acid i...
Statement I: p-nitrobenzoic acid is more reactive than benzoic acid in acid catalysed esterification reaction.
Statement II: Rate determining step in Fischer's esterification reaction of carboxylic acid is nucleophilic attack of alcohols on protonated acid.
The correct answer is option A: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
Explanation:
Esterification is a reaction in which an ester is formed from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. In this reaction, the carboxylic acid donates a proton to the alcohol, forming a protonated acid intermediate. The nucleophilic attack of the alcohol on the protonated acid results in the formation of an ester.
Statement I is correct because p-nitrobenzoic acid is more reactive than benzoic acid in an acid-catalyzed esterification reaction. The presence of a nitro group (-NO2) in p-nitrobenzoic acid increases the electron-withdrawing ability of the aromatic ring. This electron-withdrawing group enhances the acidity of the carboxylic acid, making it more likely to donate a proton to the alcohol. As a result, p-nitrobenzoic acid reacts more readily with the alcohol to form the ester.
Statement II is also correct because the rate-determining step in Fischer's esterification reaction is the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol on the protonated acid intermediate. In this step, the nucleophile (alcohol) attacks the electrophilic carbon of the protonated acid, leading to the formation of the ester. This step determines the overall rate of the reaction and is influenced by factors such as the nature of the alcohol and the acidity of the carboxylic acid.
The explanation of Statement II provides a clear understanding of why p-nitrobenzoic acid is more reactive than benzoic acid in the esterification reaction. The electron-withdrawing nitro group increases the acidity of the carboxylic acid, making it a better proton donor and enhancing the reaction with the alcohol.
In conclusion, both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II provides the correct explanation for Statement I.