Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Publication Date

4-29-2026

Faculty Mentor

Katelyn Bustin

Abstract

The Fischer esterification chemical reaction, which converts a carboxylic acid to an ester under acidic conditions, was first developed in 1895 by German chemists Emil Fischer and Arthur Speier. Today, it is one of the most prominent in all of organic synthesis. Ester compounds appear in major industrial products including biofuels, solvents, paints, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and plastics. They are also used for their scent in soaps and fragrances such as wintergreen oil.

Some limitations to the Fischer esterification include a slow reaction rate and low conversion due to the generation of thermodynamic equilibrium. A common strategy employed to bypass this is to perform the reaction under reflux conditions or with large equivalents of alcohol reagent.

Comments

Presented as part of the Ursinus College Celebration of Student Achievement (CoSA) held April 29, 2026.

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