[sundrops]

C5H11OH + CH4O2 --> C7H14O2 + H2O


Acetic acid is used in excess to push the equilibrium to the product side.
Why is it easy to remove the excess?
(Select the best explanation.)

 It is water soluble and is removed during the water wash.
 It is removed because it easily absorbs onto the sodium sulfate drying agent.
 The boiling point is very different and so it is removed during the distillation.
 It is removed by deprotonation by the sodium bicarbonate solution.


I don't think its because of the boiling point, and I don't think that it removed through drying... is it because of the deprotonation?

[sundrops]

yup - its the deprotonation
thx guys