Question

What is the ester formed by `"acetic acid"` and `"n-butanol"`?

Answer 1

Butyl acetate?

Explanation:

`H_3C(=O)OH + HOCH_2CH_2CH_2CH_3 rightleftharpoonsH_3C(=O)OCH_2CH_2CH_2CH_3 + OH_2`

Esterification involves reaction of the alcoholic oxygen with the electrophilic carbonyl and the elimination of water. I think that this ester has an apple aroma; it would certainly smell quite nice.