transesterification

[ trans-uh-ster-uh-fi-key-shuhn, tranz- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a reaction between an ester of one alcohol and a second alcohol to form an ester of the second alcohol and an alcohol from the original ester, as that of methyl acetate and ethyl alcohol to form ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol; interesterification.

Word History and Origins

Origin of transesterification¹

trans- + esterification ( def )