Question

Why was the reaction mixture extracted with sodium carbonate in a Fischer esterification reaction?

Answer 1

Well, look at the reactants...

Explanation:

You have performed the condensation...

`R'OH + HO(O=)CRstackrel(H_3O^+)rightleftharpoonsR'O(O=)CR+H_2O`

Extraction with sodium carbonate solution will remove ANY unreacted acid from the organic phase...

`RC(=O)OH(aq) + Na_2CO_3(aq) rarrunderbrace(RC(=O)O^(-)""^(+)Na)_"water soluble"+Na^(+)""^(-)HCO_3`