Which of the following carboxylic acids is most reactive toward esterification ?

Options

A. `(CH_(3))_(3)C COOH`
B. `CH_(3))_(2)CHCOOH`
C. `CH_(3)CH_(2)COOH`
D. `(C_(2)H_(5))_(2)CHCOOH`

Answer

C

Explanation

`CH_(3)CH_(2)COOH` is most reactive towords esterification. The esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols is a kind of nucleophilic acyl substitution. Protanation of the carbonyl oxygen activates of carbonyl group towards nucleophilic addition of alcohol. Therefore,carboxylic acid with less number of electron releasing group most reactive.