Triethyl citrate is an ester of citric acid and ethanol, often used as a plasticizer and in food applications. The synthesis of triethyl citrate can be carried out through a process known as esterification, typically involving the reaction of citric acid with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Here's a general outline of the synthetic procedure:
### Materials Needed:
- Citric acid (C6H8O7)
- Ethanol (C2H5OH)
- Acid catalyst (such as