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 How is Esterification a reversible reaction ?

In esterification, a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, in presence of acid to form ester and water.The reaction is reversible since ester and water can react to form the carboxylic acid and alcohol again.Therefore, in order to shift the equilibrium in forward direction, water should be removed as soon as formed.

 

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The Lewis or Brønstedt acid-catalyzed esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols to give esters is a typical reaction in which the products and reactants are in equilibrium.

The equilibrium may be influenced by either removing one product from the reaction mixture (for example, removal of the water by azeotropic distillation or absorption by molecular sieves) or by employing an excess of one reactant.

If you want to reverse the equilibrium, add water or remove the alcohol.

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i think because the ester can be again converted back into sodium salt of carboxylic acid and alcohol by saphonification reaction.....

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