What is Hydrolysis?
The word hydrolysis is derived from the Greek words hydro, which means water, and lysis, which means to break apart. It is a chemical process in which water breaks down a compound into smaller molecules. Then, water molecules attach to two parts of a molecule, breaking a covalent bond in the compound by inserting a water molecule across it.
For example, An ester hydrolysis gives alcohol and carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt.
Hydrolysis of EstersEster Hydrolysis with NaOH
Ester hydrolysis is breaking down an ester into its constituent carboxylic acid and alcohol this takes place in an acidic or basic medium. The mechanisms of acid-catalyzed ester hydrolysis differ, with base-catalyzed hydrolysis being irreversible.
In this article, we look into what ester is, the hydrolysis of ester, its reaction, mechanism, application, etc.
Table of Content
- What is an Ester?
- What is Hydrolysis?
- Ester Hydrolysis
- Ester Hydrolysis with H2SO4
- Hydrolyzing Ester to Make Soap
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