Fischer Esterification

   Fischer Esterification

Conversion of carboxylic acids to esters using acid and alcohols 

Fischer Esterification

When a carboxylic acid is treated with an alcohol and an acid catalyst, an ester is formed (along with water). This reaction is called the Fischer esterification.

This is a reversible reaction. The alcohol is generally used as solvent so is present in large excess. 

some other examples are

Fischer Esterification

The byproduct of each of these reactions is water. 

The fourth example is an intramolecular reaction that forms a cyclic ester. 

Cyclic esters are also called lactones.