Q. Which one of the following is the mechanism of hydrolysis of ethyl benzoate by refluxing with dil. Aq. NaOH solution?
A) Acyl oxygen bond cleavage, unimolecular
B) Acyl oxygen bond cleavage, bimolecular
C) Alkyl oxygen bond cleavage, unimolecular
D) Alkyl oxygen bond cleavage, bimolecular
Explanation
(b)
Ethyl benzoate hydrolyses to give benzoic acid and ethanol in the presence of aqueous acid $(H_{2}SO_{4})$ or aqueous base (NaOH). In both cases the reaction is bimolecular and it is the $C - O$ bond between the acyl group and oxygen that is cleaved
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Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.