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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3co189

In the acid-catalysed esterification of ethanoic acid with methanol, the first step of the mechanism is

Aattack of $CH X_{3} O X^{-}$ on the carbonyl carbon
Bdeprotonation of the alcohol by the carbonyl oxygen
Closs of water from the acid to form an acylium ion by $S X_{N} 2$
Dprotonation of the carbonyl oxygen of the acid

Answer: D

The acid catalyst protonates the carbonyl oxygen of the carboxylic acid, increasing the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon so that the weakly nucleophilic alcohol can attack it.

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