Ethanoyl chloride reacts with ethanol to give

  • A. ethyl ethanoate and hydrogen chloride
  • B. ethanoic acid and chlorine
  • C. ethane and water
  • D. ethanal and hydrogen chloride

Explanation

The alcohol attacks the carbonyl carbon and chloride is expelled, giving the ester rapidly and irreversibly along with fumes of hydrogen chloride. This route is preferred over direct esterification when a high yield is needed, since no equilibrium limits it. The vigorous reaction with water is the reason acyl chlorides must be kept dry.

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