11.9: Acid-Catalyzed Ester Hydrolysis
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
Introduction
Esters can be cleaved back into a carboxylic acid and an alcohol by reaction with water and a catalytic amount of acid.
General Reaction
Example 1: |
---|
![]() |
Mechanism
1) Protonation of the Carbonyl
2) Nucleophilic attack by water
3) Proton transfer
4) Leaving group removal
Contributors
Prof. Steven Farmer (Sonoma State University)