of hydrolysis of ethyl

Determination of reaction rate, order and molecularity

acetate
ACETATE)
(KINETICS OF ACID CATALYSED HYDROLYSIS OF ETHYL

Introduction:
Chemical reactions and reaction rate
reaction
chemistry that studies reaction rates. The
Chemical kinetics is the part of physical as how fast a
particular reaction is intuitively defined
Tdte Tor areactant or product in a idea
chemical kinetics, one can reasonably get an
reaction takes place. Through the study of necessary
conditions and improve the reaction rate, which is
as to how to alter the reaction help
products in the industry perspective. It will also
to increase the production of chemical
unwanted side reactions.
us to learn how to suppress or slow down

For a generic reaction: A+ BC

v=kc
the simple rate equation is of the form:
coefficient or rate constant.
The concentration is usually inmol cm and k is the reaction rate
everything that affects reaction rate
Although it is not really a constant, because it includes
surface area of the adsorbent or
outside concentration: mainly temperature, ionic strength,
light irradiation (in the case of photochemical reactions).
depend on the reaction mechanism. The
The exponents a & bare called reaction orders and
one step
stoichiometric coefficients and reaction orders are very often equal, but only in
reactions.

Acid-catalyzed Hydrolysis of Methyl Esters

achieved in a number
The hydrolysis of ester is catalyzed by either an acid or base. This can be
form apositively
of ways. The most common method is to use a Lewis acid or Bronsted acid to
charged intermediate that is far more reactive and even mild nucleophiles such as water will
react.

Page 9
Expt. No.: Date:

Determination of Reaction Rate, Order and Molecularity of

Experiment Hydrolysis of Ethyl Acetate

Problem definition Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in acid medium to produce acetic acid and
ethylalcohol
Following chemical kinetics of the reaction through acid-base
Methodology titrimetric analysis

Solution The formation of acetic acid in the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate will be
followed by a titration with NaOH at different time intervals.
Student learning Students will be able to calculate the rate constant of ester hydrolysis
outcomes through (pseudo) first order kinetics.

Aim:

To determine the rate constant of the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate using an acid as a catalyst
and to understand the order and molecularity of the reaction
Principle:
The hydrolysis of an ester occurs according to the equation:
Ht
CH,CO,CzHs + H,0. CH,CO,H + CzH,0H
The following rate equation is applicable to the above reaction:
Rate a [Ester] [H;0]
Since [H,0] remains constant,

Rate = -dc
dt
= *,(Ester]
where, c represents concentration of the ester at any time t; k1 is the specific velocity
constant. As the reaction progresses, the accumulation of acetic acid increases. Drawing a
known volume of the reaction mixture at known regular intervals of time and titrating it
against standard sodium hydroxide solution willindicate the increase in acetic acid presence.
The acid hydrolysis of ester is a first-order bimolecular reaction, and the reaction follows
pseudo first order kinetics. This is because the amount of water is in large excess so that its
concentration does not change significantly to alter the reaction rate. The reaction goes
practically to completion (the equilibrium shifts to the right) and the rate is first order with
respect to the ester.

Requirements:
Reagents and solutions: Ethyl acetate, 0.5N HCI, 0.2N NaOH, Phenolphthalein indicator, lce
cubes

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Apparatus: Burette 50mL, Pipettes-5mL. 10mL, Conical flasks, Wash bottle Reaction bottle
250mL.
Procedure:
Exactly 100 mL of0.5N-hydrochloric acid solution are taken in a 250 mL clean reaction bottle
and exactly 5 ml of the ester is added to it. Zero time is noted when half the volume of ester
solution in the pipette is transferred into the reaction bottle. After thorough mixing,
Immediately 10 mL of the solution is pipetted out into a clean conical flask containing ice
cubes. It is then titrated against 0.2 sodium hydroxide solution from the burette using
phenolphthalein indicator. The end-point is the first appearance of a pale permanent pink
colour. The same volumes of the reaction mixture are withdrawn at regular intervals, say 10
minutes and is titrated against sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction is allowed to go to
Completion by keeping the reaction mixture over a hot water bath for about 90 minutes. The
final reading is then noted.
Calculations:
Let Vo be the volume of alkali used at zero time and V, be the volume of alkali used after the
time e seconds. Let V be the reading when the reaction is completed. Concentrations of the
ester at various time intervals are expressed in terms of volume of NaOH solution.

a= initial concentration of ester = (Va - Vo)

(a-x)=concentration of ester at any time 't = (Va -Vo)-(Vi-Vo)
- (Va - Vo-V+Vo)
- (Va- Vi)
The specific rate constant of the reactions is given by

2.303
k,' = log
a-x

2.303
(V, -V,
k,' = log
k,'= Slope x 2.303

The rate constant values are calculated at different time intervals which should nearlybe the
same. Agraph is drawn between log(Va -Vi) and time 't'. From the slope of the plot, the rate
constant is calculated, and it is compared with the experimental value.

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 o.0033+002 1+o0042+O. 004)X

OD0355

Ky= 3o3
(0 |.170

20

Kyz 2303 26-8 = 0 004 2

20 130

Ks - 00041
(b-bJsoj

0. 5

-0. 5

-1.5
20 40 60 80 100 120 140

t(min)

Table-1:

Time
Volume of (V-V) log (V-V) K=
303-log (V -V%)
S.No. in mL t (Vo- V)
NaOH (mL) Imin1
(min)
1
-5 |.185
2 10
Qo 0033
20
12.3 O. 0027
30
13.3 13.5 "130 O.0042
5 40
I3 O0041

Results:

The Rate Constant for the hydrolysis of an ester from

1. Calculated value = O-0035 =3.5 XO5
2. Graphical value 031 = 3"|xIo-3
3. Molecularity of the reaction =
4. Order of the reaction z Paeusofint Onde

value

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