Methyl benzoate was prepared by the reaction of benzoic acid with methanol in the presence of a mineral acid. the ester product was extracted into dichloromethane and then shaken with saturated sodium chloride solution. what is the purpose of the sodium chloride?
The purpose of Sodium Chloride in the Fischer Esterification process is to separate the organic layer, then the process continues with drying the dichloromethane by distillation and distill the remaining liquid ester.
