Question

Give the relationship between the steric hindrance and the rate of esterification?

Answer 1

Hint :To solve this question, first understand both the terms separately and then try to carve out the relationship that binds them. So steric hindrance is the congestion experienced by the atom in the molecule due to the physical presence of other surrounding atoms or molecules.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
So, steric hindrance is generally due to heavy bulky groups surrounding the small molecule or atom. This steric hindrance prevents the atom or molecule from undergoing the desired chemical reaction.
Now, we had an idea about steric hindrance, so now let’s discuss about esterification
Esterification is the process of forming ester bonds by the reaction between an organic acid and the alcohol. In this reaction at least one product has the ester bonds and the water is always released out.

So, by understanding above both the definitions we can say that the steric hindrance blocks the reaction of esterification, it means that steric hindrance slows down the rate of esterification.
Therefore our answer is - that steric hindrance is inversely proportional to the rate of esterification.
The greater the steric hindrance, the lower the rate of esterification.

Note :
Steric hindrance always is not a problematic phenomenon, sometimes it can be a helpful process .Like steric hindrance is often exploited to prevent the side reactions or to prevent the molecule from undergoing unnecessary reactions.