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JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3o1216

Which acids are esterified more slowly than acetic acid by methanol with a catalytic strong acid under identical conditions?

  1. Amethanoic acid
  2. B2,6-dimethylbenzoic acid
  3. C2,2-diethylbutanoic acid
  4. D2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid

Answer: B, C, D

Fischer esterification is retarded by steric crowding at the carbonyl carbon, which hinders formation of the tetrahedral intermediate. The three branched acids are strongly hindered; formic acid has H in place of , is the least hindered, and reacts faster.
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