Which of the following organic reactions converts an ester into a carboxylate salt and an alcohol in the presence of a strong base?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Saponification (base hydrolysis)
- Step 1: Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters using sodium or potassium hydroxide cleaves the ester linkage.
- Step 2: This produces an alcohol and a carboxylate salt (soap), a reaction historically and technically termed saponification.
Answer
Saponification (base hydrolysis).
Why not the others: 'Esterification' is the reverse reaction (forming esters from acid and alcohol); 'Hydrogenation' adds hydrogen across double bonds; 'Polymerization' joins monomers.
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