Can you make methyl oxalate with hydrochloric acid and oxalic acid?

Methyl oxalate, or methyl oxalic acid, is an ester formed from oxalic acid and methanol. To produce methyl oxalate, you would typically perform an esterification reaction between oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) and methanol (CH₃OH) in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, to drive the reaction. Using hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the reaction instead of sulfuric acid might not be effective, as HCl is not a strong dehydrating agent and can actually introduce water into the system, hindering the esterification process. Therefore, while you have the right components (oxalic acid and methanol), HCl is not the most suitable acid for this reaction. If you were to use sulfuric acid as a catalyst along with oxalic acid and methanol, you could synthesize methyl oxalate through the following general reaction scheme: 1. Mix oxalic acid with methanol. 2. Add a concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst. 3. Heat the mixture to promote esterification. Ensure that you conduct any reactions in a controlled and safe laboratory environment, adhering to appropriate safety protocols.