# Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol to form an ester. Describe what type of reaction this is, name the ester produced, and explain two properties of carboxylic acids that show they behave as acids.

> AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405) — 3.3.11 Amines (A-Level only) · Describe · 5 marks

> Ethanoic acid is the second member of the homologous series of carboxylic acids. It reacts with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol is a condensation reaction
2. The ester produced is ethyl ethanoate
3. Carboxylic acids react with carbonates / metal carbonates to produce carbon dioxide (gas / effervescence)
4. Carboxylic acids dissolve in water to produce an acidic solution / solution with pH less than 7
5. Carboxylic acids are weak acids / only partially dissociate in water (compared to strong acids such as hydrochloric acid)

## Key terms

- [ester](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ester)
- [carboxylic acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/carboxylic-acid)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/ethanoic-acid-reacts-with-ethanol-to-b7162ed8) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.