Juan Guiliano R.

Baos BS Chemistry 4

Alkaline Hydrolysis of Esters - Second Order Reaction Objective: To determine the rate constant of the reaction and to determine from that the activation parameters (activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy). Theory: The reaction rate constant for the alkaline hydrolysis of esters such as ethyl acetate may be determined conductometrically, since the stoichiometry of a typical reaction is

As the reaction proceeds, hydroxide ions are consumed and acetate ions are produced. The conductance of an ion depends on its ionic mobility, which in turn is determined by the size of the ion. Since the conductance of the large acetate ion is less then that of the smaller, more mobile hydroxide ion, the conductivity of the reaction solution decreases as the alkaline ester hydrolysis proceeds. Hence, the progress the reaction may be monitored by following the change in the electrical conductance of the reaction mixture with time. The rate constants will be determined at three temperatures, so that the activation energy for the reaction may be obtained from a plot of ln k versus 1/T. Materials and Chemicals: y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y ethyl formate ethyl acetate ethyl propionate ethyl butyrate 0.02 M sodium hydroxide solution magnetic stirrer hotplate 2 magnetic stirring bars stirring bar remover crystallizing dish d = 190 mm, h = 90 mm (for water bath) 100 mL round bottom flask with center neck NS 29/32 and 2 angled side necks 14/23 contact thermometer thermometer 0 - 50 C (resolution: 0.1 C) conductivity measuring cell micropipette volumetric pipette 50 mL pipette bulb

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