In this video we see how an ester is generally produced from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. We mix some ethanol and glacial acetic acid and add a small amount of concentrated sulphuric acids as a catalyst, then place the solution in a warm water bath for a few minutes. Cool the solution by pouring it in a beaker containing water and you will get a pleasant smell which is a characteristic of ester. Esters occur naturally in the essential oils of many plants and are widely used to mimic these odours in artificial flavourings and fragrances.