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SSC Organic and Environmental Chemistry P-II QUESTION #1445
Question 1
What is the major product when ethyl acetate is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions?
  • Acetic acid and ethanol✔️
  • Acetaldehyde and ethanol
  • Acetone and ethanol
  • None of these
Correct Answer Explanation
Acid hydrolysis (esterification in reverse) of ethyl acetate (\(CH_3COOC_2H_5\)) proceeds by nucleophilic acyl substitution: \(CH_3COOC_2H_5 + H_2O \xrightarrow{H^+} CH_3COOH + C_2H_5OH\). The products are acetic acid (ethanoic acid) and ethanol. This is a Fischer esterification run in reverse (saponification under acidic conditions gives the acid, not the carboxylate salt).