Q. The hydrolysis of ethyl acetate was carried out separately with $0.05\ M\ HCl\ and\ 0.05\ M\ H_{2}{SO}_{4}.$ The rate constants were found to be $k_{1}\ and\ \ k_{2}$ respectively then
A) $k_{1} < k_{2}$
B) $k_{1} > k_{2}$
C) $k_{1} = k_{2}$
D) $k_{2} = 2k_{1}$
Explanation
(a)
In the presence of acid, hydrolysis of ethyl acetate is a pseudo-unimolecular reaction but the actual value of $k$ depends upon the concentration of $H^{+}$ ion. As $H_{2}{SO}_{4}$ is stronger acid than $HCl$ and moreover $\ H^{+}$ ions produced from $0.05\ M\ H_{2}{SO}_{4}$ is double than $0.05\ M\ HCl$ therefore, $k_{1} < k_{2}$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.