A student warms methanol and propanoic acid in two separate experiments. The same amount of ester is formed in each experiment. The only difference is whether concentrated sulfuric acid is added.
| Experiment | Concentrated sulfuric acid added | Time taken to form the ester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | 24 minutes |
| 2 | No | 96 minutes |
Explain what the results show about the role of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Name the other product formed alongside the ester.