made by reacting ethanol with ethanoic acid
concentrated sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst
the reaction is slow and reversable
CH₃CH₂OH + CH₃COOH → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ + H₂O
in industry the ester is made in a batch process
ethanol and ethanoic acid are added to a large reaction vessel together with the catalyst
the reaction mixture is heated
water produced during the rection is removed by distillation
yields of up to 95% are possible
other methods