i need a laboratory method to measure the conversion in an esterification reaction?

Question

any method to help me (measure the acid value for example

Answer 1

You could rig a "Dean-Stark Trap" on the side of your condensor. That will eliminate water from your esterification (assuming its similar to the Fisher esterification) and force the production of more water and product, until one of the reagents is used up or an equilibrium is achieved.



Another method would be TLC, comparing the starting reaction mixture to the final product.



Spectroscopy (NMR, IR) could be used.



Finally, you could just put some of your sample into a GC-MS.