What kind of bond is formed during esterification?

During the process of esterification, a covalent bond is formed between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. This reaction typically involves the removal of a water molecule (a process known as dehydration synthesis) and the formation of an ester linkage, which is characterized by the connection of the carboxyl group of the acid and the hydroxyl group of the alcohol.

Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons to achieve stability, which is precisely what happens in esterification as the reactants combine to produce a new compound. This strong bond allows the resulting ester to have distinct properties as compared to the original components.

In contrast, ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons and the electrostatic attraction between charged ions, hydrogen bonds are weaker attractions between polar molecules, and metallic bonds involve the sharing of free electrons among a lattice of metal atoms. None of these types of bonds accurately describe the process occurring in esterification.