Let's break down the reaction step by step: ## Step 1: **Identify the Reaction Type** - You have a **carboxylic acid** (2-methylbutanoic acid) and an **alcohol** (ethanol), reacting with **catalytic sulfuric acid** (H₂SO₄). - This is a classic **Fischer esterification** reaction, where a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an **ester** and water. --- ## Step 2: **Write the General Reaction** \[ \text{Carboxylic acid} + \text{Alcohol} \xrightarrow{H_2SO_4} \text{Ester} + \text{Water} \] --- ## Step 3: **Determine the Structures** - **Carboxylic acid**: 2-methylbutanoic acid \(\mathrm{CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_2COOH}\) - **Alcohol**: Ethanol \(\mathrm{CH_3CH_2OH}\) --- ## Step 4: **Form the Ester** - The **OH** from the **carboxylic acid** and an **H** from the **alcohol** combine to form **water**. - The **remaining parts** (acyl group and the ethoxy group) join to form the **ester**. **Ester formed:** - The acyl group is from 2-methylbutanoic acid: \(\mathrm{CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_2CO-}\) - The alkyl group is from ethanol: \(\mathrm{-OCH_2CH_3}\) So, the ester is **ethyl 2-methylbutanoate**. --- ## Step 5: **Draw the Product** **Structure:** ``` CH3 | CH3-CH-CH2-C(=O)-O-CH2CH3 ``` ### Or in condensed form: \[ \mathrm{CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_2COOCH_2CH_3} \] --- ## **Final Answer** The organic product is **ethyl 2-methylbutanoate**. ### Reaction Summary \[ \text{2-methylbutanoic acid} + \text{ethanol} \xrightarrow{H_2SO_4} \text{ethyl 2-methylbutanoate} + \text{water} \] --- ### **Stepwise Mechanism (Optional for Deeper Understanding)** 1. Protonation of the carbonyl oxygen of the acid (activation). 2. Nucleophilic attack by the ethanol oxygen. 3. Proton transfer steps. 4. Loss of water. 5. Deprotonation to yield the ester. --- **Let me know if you want to see the mechanism in detail or need help drawing the structure!**