C2H4 suy ra CH3-CH2-OH suy ra CH3-COOH suy ra CH3-COOC2H5

(1) $C_{2}$$H_{4}$ + $H_{2}O$ —axit—> $C_{2}$$H_{5}OH$

(2) $C_{2}$$H_{5}OH$ + $O_{2}$ —-> $CH_{3}COOH$

(3) $CH_{3}COOH$ + $C_{2}$$H_{5}OH$ ⇄ $CH_{3}COO$$C_{2}$$H_{5}$ + $H_{2}O$  (ĐK: H2SO4 đặc, $t^{0}$ )