Mechanism of the Fischer Esterification in Organic Chemistry

Here we are discussing the Fischer esterification mechanism of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol under acidic conditions to form an ester. The reaction mechanism occurs under equilibrium conditions and is controlled by LaChatelier's principle. To drive the reaction toward the products, the following can be done: (a) remove the water as it is formed by physical means or a chemical desiccant, (b) employ excess alcohol, (c) employ excess acid, or (d) distill out the ester as it is formed. Any of these methods could be used to drive the equilibrium toward product formation.