Question

The question is about titration: An esterification reaction is catalysed by hydrochloric acid; and an indicator, phenolphtalein, is used to indicate when an equilibrium is reached between the reactants and the products. The reactants are methanol and ethanoic acid and the products are methyl acetate and water. In this titration experiment we increase the amount of methanol used and based on this we need decreasing amounts of NaOH to add into the solution for the indicator to make the solution to change the color. In this experiment we're supposed to see how (-CONTINUED IN ANSWERS-)

Answer 1

(-QUESTION CONTINUES-) the Kc value of the reaction changes when we use more methanol (the limiting reagent btw is always ethanoic acid) and subsequently by the increase of methanol we need less NaOH to be added to the esterification solution to see a color change caused by the indicator. Now what I don't get at all is what is this reaction all about with the addition of NaOH and all when it is not even part of the equation? Can someone tell me what is this experiment all about? And here again is the supposed reaction equation: CH3 COOH(aq)+ CH3 OH(aq) <-(hydrochloric acid = catalyst) -> CH3 COOCH3 (aq)+ H2 O(l)

Answer 2

Please, this is extremely important and urgent! : S