In esterfication reaction rate for different alcohols

Options

A. `3^(@) gt 1^(@) gt 2^(@)`
B. `2 ^(@) gt 3^(@) gt 1^(@)`
C. `1 ^(@) gt 2^(@) gt 3^(@)`
D. none of these

Explanation

To analyze the rate of esterification reactions for different alcohols, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Esterification Reaction
Esterification is a reaction between a carboxylic acid (RCOOH) and an alcohol (ROH) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H+). The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{RCOOH} + \text{ROH} \rightarrow \text{RCOOR} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

### Step 2: Mechanism of the Reaction
1. **Protonation of Alcohol**: The acid protonates the oxygen of the alcohol, increasing its electrophilicity.
2. **Nucleophilic Attack**: The protonated alcohol (ROH2+) attacks the carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid, forming a tetrahedral intermediate.
3. **Formation of Ester**: The tetrahedral intermediate collapses, leading to the formation of the ester and the release of water.

### Step 3: Analyze the Role of Alcohol Structure
The structure of the alcohol affects the stability of the transition state during the reaction:
- **1° Alcohols**: Have less steric hindrance, leading to a more stable transition state and a faster reaction rate.
- **2° Alcohols**: Have moderate steric hindrance, resulting in a slower reaction rate compared to 1° alcohols.
- **3° Alcohols**: Have significant steric hindrance, making the transition state unstable and resulting in the slowest reaction rate.

### Step 4: Rate Order for Different Alcohols
Based on the stability of the transition states:
- **1° Alcohols**: Fastest reaction rate (least steric hindrance)
- **2° Alcohols**: Moderate reaction rate
- **3° Alcohols**: Slowest reaction rate (most steric hindrance)

### Conclusion
The order of the reaction rate for esterification with different alcohols is:
\[ \text{1° Alcohol} > \text{2° Alcohol} > \text{3° Alcohol} \]

### Final Answer
The rate of esterification is highest for 1° alcohols, followed by 2° alcohols, and lowest for 3° alcohols.

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