`CH_(3)COOH + C_(2)H_(5)OH overset(X) to CH_(3)COOC_(2)H_(5) +H_(2)O ,X` is

Options

A. `H_(2)SO_(4)`
B. NaOH
C. `KMnO_(4)`
D. Ni

Explanation

To solve the question, we need to identify the catalyst (denoted as X) in the reaction between acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH) that produces ethyl acetate (CH₃COOC₂H₅) and water (H₂O).

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- The reactants in the given reaction are acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH).

2. **Write the Reaction**:
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} \xrightarrow{X} \text{CH}_3\text{COOC}_2\text{H}_5 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

3. **Identify the Products**:
- The products of the reaction are ethyl acetate (CH₃COOC₂H₅) and water (H₂O).

4. **Recognize the Type of Reaction**:
- This reaction is an example of esterification, where an acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and water.

5. **Determine the Catalyst**:
- In esterification reactions, a strong acid is commonly used as a catalyst to speed up the reaction. The most commonly used catalyst for this type of reaction is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

6. **Conclude the Answer**:
- Therefore, the catalyst X in the reaction is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

### Final Answer:
The catalyst X is H₂SO₄.

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