During an esterification reaction, fatty acids and alcohols combine to form an ester. This is a condensation reaction and it produces water as its side product. The formulas of the reactants are:
Palmitic acid: CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH
Glycerol: C₃H₈O₃
Reaction equation:
3CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH + C₃H₈O₃ → 3H₂O + C₅₁H₉₈O₆
