C\(_2\)H\(_5\)OH + CH\(_3\)COOH ⇌ CH\(_3\)COOC\(_2\)H\(_5\) + H\(_2\)O The reaction above is

Answer Details

The equation shows ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacting with ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) to form ethyl ethanoate (CH₃COOC₂H₅) and water (H₂O).

This is an esterification reaction. Esterification is the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol to produce an ester and water. It is typically catalysed by a concentrated strong acid such as tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid (H₂SO₄), and the reaction is reversible, indicated by the equilibrium sign (⇌).

The general equation is:

\[\text{Carboxylic acid} + \text{Alcohol} \xrightleftharpoons{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{Ester} + \text{Water}\]

The other options do not apply here:

• Condensation is a broader term for reactions where two molecules combine with the loss of a small molecule (often water). While esterification is technically a type of condensation, the specific and more accurate name for this reaction between an acid and an alcohol is esterification.
• Fermentation is the enzymatic conversion of sugars (such as glucose) to ethanol and carbon(IV) oxide.
• Hydrolysis is the reverse of esterification, where an ester is broken down by water (or alkali) into the parent acid and alcohol.