Question

Name the reaction of : CH3COOC2H5 =C2H5OH+CH3COOH ??

Answer 1

The above reaction is a hydrolysis reaction.

Explanation:

Let's compare reactants and products.

`"CH"_3"CO-OC"_2"H"_5 → "CH"_3"CO-"color(red)("OH") +color(red)("H")"-OC"_2"H"_5"`

We see that the products contain an `"H"` and an `"OH"` that are not present in the reactants.

We add a molecule of `"H"_2"O"` as a reactant.

The equation gives

`"CH"_3"CO-OC"_2"H"_5 + color(red)("HO-H") → "CH"_3"CO-"color(red)("OH") +color(red)("H")"-OC"_2"H"_5"`

and the equation is balanced.

The breakdown of a compound by reaction with water is called hydrolysis.

The hydrolysis of an ester requires a catalyst such as a strong base or a strong acid.