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Reactions Involving Esters

What is an important reaction involving esters?

Esters are synthesized through esterification through the reaction of carboxylic acids with an alcohol:

Figure 48.7: Ester synthesis through esterification.
$\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-esterification.eps}$
Esters readily undergo hydrolysis
- Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis
  
  Figure 48.8: Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters.
  $\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-esters_acid_cat_hydrol.eps}$
- Base-catalyzed hydrolysis, aka saponification
  
  Figure 48.9: Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters: Saponification.
  $\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-saponification.eps}$

**Figure 48.7:** Ester synthesis through esterification.
$\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-esterification.eps}$

**Figure 48.8:** Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters.
$\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-esters_acid_cat_hydrol.eps}$

**Figure 48.9:** Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters: Saponification.
$\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-saponification.eps}$

Alfa Diallo 2006-08-04