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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o1191

Methyl benzoate is heated with a large excess of ethanol containing a little concentrated . The main products are

  1. Abenzoic acid and ethyl methyl ether
  2. Bethyl benzoate and dimethyl ether
  3. Cethyl benzoate and methanol
  4. Dbenzoic acid and diethyl ether

Answer: C

The reaction is an acid-catalysed transesterification: ethanol replaces methanol on the acyl carbon via a tetrahedral intermediate, and a large excess of ethanol drives the equilibrium to ethyl benzoate plus methanol.
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