Acetic acid reacts separately with the following alcohols. The rate of esterfication is highest for

Options

A. `CH_(3)OH`
B. `C_(2)H_(5)OH`
C. `(CH_(3))_(2)CHOH`
D. `(CH_(3))_(3)COH`

Answer

a

Explanation

As the hydrocarbon part (R) of the alcohol increases the tetraehderal intermediate (l) formed during esterification becomes more and more crowded and hence, the rate of esterification decreases accordingly. Thus, the smallest alcohol, i.e. `CH_(3)OH` reacts at the fastest rate.
`CH_(3)-overset(O)overset(||)C-OHrarrCH_(3)-overset(+)overset(OH)overset(||)C-OHoverset(ROH)rarr`