The hydrolysis of an ester proceeds most slowly under the conditions of:
Correct answer: C. neutrality
- A. high acidity
- B. high basicity
- C. neutrality
- D. high temperature
Explanation
An ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group (−OH) is replaced by an alkoxy group (−O−R). The hydrolysis of esters is catalyzed by either an acid or a base. The first step involved in this reaction is the breakage of the C=O bond . In case of an acid, the proton from the acid attacks on it and breaks it and in case of base, a hydroxide ion attacks and forms a new species. In a neutral solution, there is no species to break the bond. Thus, in a neutral solution, the hydrolysis is too slow, and as a result, it is normally avoided.
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About Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives include acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters and amides, formed by replacing the hydroxyl group of a carboxylic acid. Their nomenclature, structures, preparation, hydrolysis and relative reactivity are linked through nucleophilic acyl substitution, which differs from the nucleophilic addition reactions of aldehydes and ketones.
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