[confusedcollegestudent]

In the synthesis of ethyl pentanoate, you start with a diethyl malonate.
Then you add:
1. NaOEt
2. CH3CH2CH2Br
Then you do:
H₃O⁺, Δ
Which produces a carboxylic acid.
How would you add the ethyl back in?
The answer says EtOH, H+
But I'm not understanding.
Is this similar to Williamson Ester Synthesis?

[Gläzküll]

I think they just mean an esterification between EtOH and the produced carboxylic acid

[clarkstill]

I suggest you look at the Fischer esterification reaction