Which term describes a molecule formed when an alcohol and an organic acid react?

Which term describes a molecule formed when an alcohol and an organic acid react?

• A. Ester
• B. Amino Acid
• C. Carboxyl Group
• D. Hydroxyl Group

Answer: (A)

An ester is formed when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid in an esterification reaction. In this process, the -OH from the carboxyl group and a hydrogen from the alcohol are removed as water, and the remaining pieces join with an -O- linkage to make the ester. For example, ethanol reacting with acetic acid produces ethyl acetate and water. The other terms describe either a different kind of molecule (amino acid, which contains both amino and carboxyl groups) or the functional groups themselves (carboxyl group and hydroxyl group), not the product of this reaction.

An ester is formed when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid in an esterification reaction. In this process, the -OH from the carboxyl group and a hydrogen from the alcohol are removed as water, and the remaining pieces join with an -O- linkage to make the ester. For example, ethanol reacting with acetic acid produces ethyl acetate and water. The other terms describe either a different kind of molecule (amino acid, which contains both amino and carboxyl groups) or the functional groups themselves (carboxyl group and hydroxyl group), not the product of this reaction.