Esterification in water

[deleted783484]

Why can't esterification occur in water? The kaplan book says that it would revert back the ester into carboxylic acid but since carboxylic acids are more reactive than esters wouldn't water react with carboxylic acids instead of esters?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[aldol16]

The reaction between water and carboxylic acid just yields water and carboxylic acid. You're doing the wrong comparison here. The correct comparison is whether an ester or carboxylic acid is more stable in water.