How much H2SO4 catalyst is needed for ester formation?

[smack_whore]

Hi I've been reading a lot about esters and have the general idea but I am not sure about exact amounts of acid catalyst needed.
say the following experiment was tro be carried out to form an ester
R-C=O(O-R2)
*X moles of R-C=O(OH)
*10X moles of R2-C-OH
*How much H2SO4 would be needed?
i read a few drops are needed, but a few drops per what?per mole of carboxylic acid?alcohol?
any answers comments appreciated, thanks :!)

 

[GCT]

I'm pretty sure it's carboxylic acid

 

[movies]

Whenever I have done a Fisher esterification the amount of acid called for has been exceptionally small (e.g. 0.002 equivalents relative to acid) so I don't think that the concentration is very important. That said, additional acid probably won't cause problems unless your alcohol or acid/ester and especially acid sensitive.

 

[smack_whore]

thanks

thanks a lot for the links tutor n for the advice movies, both very helpfull.i think i have everything i need now