Could the structures below undergo a Fischer esterification reaction? Reaction scheme of benzoic acid and thionyl chloride to form an unknown product. No, the structures above cannot undergo a Fischer esterification reaction to form an ester. Yes, if the carboxylic acid is heated in the SOCl2 reagent and a small amount of H2SO4 is used as a catalyst.

The correct answer is the first option. No, the structures above cannot undergo a Fischer esterification reaction to form an ester.

Explanation:

The reaction that will take place can be found in the attached file. The reaction does not require any catalyst and it cannot undergo a Fischer esterification reaction to form an ester.

For cyclohexane compounds drawn in a chair conformation:   -axial bonds are vertical  -equatorial bonds are parallel to two bonds within the ring.  thus, as i assume the chair conformation is drawn:   -the x group is in an axial position, as are the five other vertical bonds.  -three axial bonds are on the top face of the ring  -the other three axial bonds are on the bottom face  the position of the second substituent on each ring carbon is equatorial.  gauche groups must be on an adjacent carbon such as carbon 6 and carbon 2, and also gauche groups are rotated by 60 degrees relative to each other.  drawing the newman projections for c1–c2 and c1–c6 aids in visualizing the groups that are gauche to the y group on c1.  click this link and watch some academic videos that may you more understand the topic 

They are all full and don't need any more electrons in there outer shell.