Heating mxiture of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid in presence of conc. ` H_(2) SO_(4)` produces a fruity smelling compound. This reaction is called :

Options

A. Neutralisation
B. Ester hydrolysis
C. Esterification
D. Williamson's synthesis

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction between ethyl alcohol and acetic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) has the formula CH₃CH₂OH.
- Acetic acid has the formula CH₃COOH.

2. **Understand the Role of Concentrated Sulfuric Acid**:
- Concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) acts as a catalyst in this reaction. It helps in the dehydration process and increases the electrophilicity of the acetic acid, making it more reactive.

3. **Formation of Carbocation**:
- When acetic acid is protonated by sulfuric acid, it forms a carbocation. The oxygen in acetic acid donates a lone pair to the proton (H⁺), resulting in a positively charged intermediate.

4. **Nucleophilic Attack**:
- Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) acts as a nucleophile. The lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom of ethanol attacks the carbocation formed from acetic acid.

5. **Formation of Ester**:
- After the nucleophilic attack, a tetrahedral intermediate is formed. This intermediate then loses a water molecule (dehydration), resulting in the formation of an ester.
- The product formed is ethyl acetate (CH₃COOCH₂CH₃), which is known for its fruity smell.

6. **Conclusion**:
- The reaction described is called **Esterification**, which is the process of forming an ester from an alcohol and an acid.

### Final Answer:
The reaction of heating a mixture of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid produces a fruity smelling compound, and this reaction is called **Esterification**.

---