What product is formed when carboxylic acids react with alcohols?

When carboxylic acids react with alcohols, the primary product formed is esters. This reaction is known as esterification, which involves the reaction of the hydroxyl (-OH) group from the carboxylic acid and the hydrogen atom from the alcohol's hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of an ester and water.

Esters are characterized by the functional group -COO-, which is derived from the combination of the acid and the alcohol. This reaction typically occurs in the presence of an acid catalyst and is a fundamental process in organic chemistry, often used in the synthesis of various fragrances and flavors due to the pleasant odors associated with many esters.

In contrast, the other options mentioned do not represent the products formed from this specific reaction. Aldehydes are formed from the oxidation of alcohols, salts result from the neutralization of acids, and continued reactions of alcohols do not produce additional alcohols from the reaction with carboxylic acids. Thus, the formation of esters is the specific and correct outcome of the reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols.