Polymers of Life 3: Hydrolysis of Esters & Amides

Question 1

Definition of hydrolysis

Answer 1

Breaking molecule using water

Question 2

How do you Hydrolysis an ester

What are the conditions required

Answer 2

• Warming with dilute acid/ HCl or sodium hydroxide solution
• Different products are formed depending on whether uses acid / alkali catalyst

( polyesters can also be hydrolysed by acid / alkali in sane way )

Question 3

What are the products of the hydrolysis of an ester if an acid catalyst is used

Answer 3

Carboxylic acid + alcohol

Question 4

What are the products of the hydrolysis of an ester when a alkali catalyst is used

Answer 4

Carboxylic acid anion ( carboxylate ion ) + alcohol

Question 5

What bond is broken down in amides during hydrolysis

Answer 5

C-N bond

Question 6

What are the conditions of the hydrolysis of an amide required

Answer 6

• Heating amide with moderately concentrated hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide solution
• warming with acid / alkali catalyst

( polyamide = similar as contain amide group )

Question 7

Product of the hydrolysis of an amide using an acid catalyst

Answer 7

Carboxylic acid + ammonium salt

Question 8

Product of hydrolysis of an amide using an alkali catalyst

Answer 8

Carboxylic acid anion ( carboxylate ion = salt ) + amine ( or ammonia ) + H2O