SR Esters

Question 1

Ester => Alcohol 
Equation
Type of reaction
Conditions 
Reagents

Answer 1

Equation
R-ylR’anoate + OH- => R’-anoate ion + R-anol
E.g. Methylethanoate + NaOH (alt. aq OH-) -> sodium ethanoate (alt. Ethanoate ion) + methanol

Type of reaction
-Alkaline Hydrolysis, an irreversible saponification

Conditions

• reflux
• OH- (aq) ions

Reagents
Aq OH- e.g. From NaOH

Question 2

Ester => Carboxylic Acid
Equation
Type of reaction
Conditions 
Reagents

Answer 2

Equation
-Ester + H2O ⇌Carboxylic Acid + Alcohol
E.g. Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate+ H2O ⇌ 2-hydroxybenzoic Acid + methanol

Type of reaction
-Acid hydrolysis

Conditions

• Reflux with diluted aqueous acid
• ester broken down by the H2O Acid catalyst

Reagents
Water