Answer to Question #57718 in Organic Chemistry for reena

Question

How do i write equation for the reaction of ethyl ethanoate with dilute
alkali.

and which one is the better equations for obtaining the organic product?

Answer 1

The general equation for the reaction (hydrolysis) is:
CH3COOC2H5 + MOH → CH3COOM + C2H5OH
where M is an alkali metal
The reactivity of bases decreases in the following order:
FrOH > CsOH > KOH > NaOH > LiOH
Thus, the best one is FrOH (however, it is radioactive and very expensive). The cheapest one is KOH so
that it is commonly used for hydrolysis.