esterify

/ɛˈstɛrɪfaɪ/
verb
  1. To convert (an alcohol or acid) into an ester through a chemical reaction.
    • The company developed a new method to esterify plant oils more efficiently.
    • Chemists esterify fatty acids to create biodiesel.
    • You can esterify salicylic acid to make methyl salicylate, which smells like wintergreen.
Antonyms