Consider the following alcohols
(I)`CH_3CH_2OH`
(II)`(CH_3)_2CHOH`
(III)`(CH_3)_3COH`
Ease of esterification of above alcohol with HCOOH is

Options

A. `I lt II lt III`
B. `III lt II lt I`
C. `II lt I lt III`
D. equal

Answer

To determine the ease of esterification of the given alcohols with formic acid (HCOOH), we need to analyze the structure of each alcohol and consider the concept of steric hindrance.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Types of Alcohols**:
- Alcohol (I): `CH3CH2OH` (Ethanol) - This is a **primary alcohol**.
- Alcohol (II): `(CH3)2CHOH` (Isopropanol) - This is a **secondary alcohol**.
- Alcohol (III): `(CH3)3COH` (Tert-butanol) - This is a **tertiary alcohol**.

2. **Understand Esterification**:
- Esterification is a reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid (in this case, formic acid) to form an ester and water.
- The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{Alcohol} + \text{Carboxylic Acid} \rightarrow \text{Ester} + \text{Water} \]

3. **Consider Steric Hindrance**:
- The ease of esterification is influenced by steric hindrance. Steric hindrance refers to the difficulty of a nucleophile attacking an electrophile due to the presence of bulky groups.
- Primary alcohols have the least steric hindrance, followed by secondary alcohols, and tertiary alcohols have the most steric hindrance.

4. **Order of Esterification**:
- Since the rate of esterification is inversely proportional to steric hindrance:
- Primary alcohols (I) will undergo esterification most easily.
- Secondary alcohols (II) will be less favorable than primary.
- Tertiary alcohols (III) will undergo esterification the least due to high steric hindrance.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the order of ease of esterification with formic acid is:
\[ \text{Primary (I)} > \text{Secondary (II)} > \text{Tertiary (III)} \]

### Final Answer:
The order of ease of esterification of the given alcohols with HCOOH is:
**(I) > (II) > (III)**

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