33.2.1—Preparation of esters

An alcohol reacts with an acyl chloride to form an ester. The alcohol supplies the alkyl–O part and the acyl chloride supplies the acid-derived carbonyl part; HCl is released.

Name the two fragments before writing the product. The reaction is usually rapid at room temperature and is not the reversible equilibrium route used for direct acid/alcohol esterification.

Ethanol + ethanoyl chloride → ethyl ethanoate + HCl. Phenol + benzoyl chloride → phenyl benzoate + HCl.

Do not swap the two ester names or write water as the by-product; acyl-chloride esterification produces hydrogen chloride.