Base hydrolysis of an ester in aqueous solution yields which products?

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Multiple Choice

Base hydrolysis of an ester in aqueous solution yields which products?

Base hydrolysis of esters, also called saponification, shows that alkaline conditions drive formation of a carboxylate salt rather than a free carboxylic acid. Mechanism-wise, hydroxide attacks the carbonyl carbon, forming a tetrahedral intermediate, and the alkoxide leaves. In the basic solution, the carboxylate is immediately paired with the metal cation from the base, giving a carboxylate salt, while the leaving group becomes the corresponding alcohol. So the net products are a carboxylate salt and an alcohol (for example, ethyl acetate plus NaOH gives sodium ethanoate and ethanol). Water is not produced in this pathway, which distinguishes it from acid hydrolysis, where carboxylic acid and water would be formed.

Base hydrolysis of esters, also called saponification, shows that alkaline conditions drive formation of a carboxylate salt rather than a free carboxylic acid. Mechanism-wise, hydroxide attacks the carbonyl carbon, forming a tetrahedral intermediate, and the alkoxide leaves. In the basic solution, the carboxylate is immediately paired with the metal cation from the base, giving a carboxylate salt, while the leaving group becomes the corresponding alcohol. So the net products are a carboxylate salt and an alcohol (for example, ethyl acetate plus NaOH gives sodium ethanoate and ethanol). Water is not produced in this pathway, which distinguishes it from acid hydrolysis, where carboxylic acid and water would be formed.

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