When an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, an esterification reaction occurs. The product formed as a result is an ester and water.The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:R-OH alcohol + R'-COOH carboxylic acid R'-COOR ester + H2O water Here, R and R' represent alkyl or aryl groups. The strong acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid H2SO4 , is not shown in the balanced equation, but it is essential for the reaction to proceed.