Question

what is the product of acid hydrolysis of methyl ethanoate other than methanol?
select the correct answer below:
o ethanoic acid
o methanoic acid
o butanoic acid
o none of the above

Explanation:

Esters undergo acid hydrolysis. Methyl ethanoate (\(CH_3COOCH_3\)) has the structure of an ester (\(R - COOR'\)). In acid - catalyzed hydrolysis of an ester (\(R - COOR'\)), the products are a carboxylic acid (\(R - COOH\)) and an alcohol (\(R'OH\)). For methyl ethanoate (\(CH_3COOCH_3\)), \(R = CH_3CO-\) and \(R'=CH_3-\). The reaction is \(CH_3COOCH_3+H_2O\underset{\Delta}{\overset{H^{+}}{
ightleftharpoons}}CH_3COOH + CH_3OH\). So the carboxylic acid product (other than methanol) is ethanoic acid (\(CH_3COOH\)). Methanoic acid (\(HCOOH\)) would come from an ester like \(HCOOCH_3\) (methyl methanoate), and butanoic acid (\(CH_3CH_2CH_2COOH\)) would come from an ester like \(CH_3CH_2CH_2COOCH_3\) (methyl butanoate).

Answer:

A. ethanoic acid