The reaction of acetic acid and ethanol
has been learned from the chemical industry in the past, to explain the reaction of acetic acid and ethanol.
When the two meet, at a suitable temperature and with a catalyst, a wonderful change can occur. Acetic acid, acidic and active; ethanol, mellow and agile. The two meet like friends and go together.
When placed in a kettle, sulfuric acid is used as a medium, and the temperature is moderate, the intermolecular interaction. The carboxyl group of acetic acid and the hydroxyl group of ethanol seem to have a heart-to-heart connection, removing monohydrate molecules and gradually forming a new substance. The result is ethyl acetate, which is fragrant and can be used as a fragrance. It is also used in various chemical industries.
The process of the reaction is not achieved overnight. At the beginning, acetic acid and ethanol approach each other, and there is a combination between collisions. However, this reaction is reversible, and when ethyl acetate is formed, part of ethyl acetate is also re-hydrolyzed into acetic acid and ethanol. Over time, the two reach a state of equilibrium, and the amount of each substance does not change suddenly.
Scholars have carefully observed this change and know that the beauty of chemical industry lies in controlling temperature and adjusting the amount of matter, so as to promote the smooth reaction and increase the yield of the product. This is the essence of chemical technology, which can make ordinary things used and benefit the world.