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+ Water
+ Acids
+ Chemistry
+ Organic chemistry
+ Hydrolysis
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Martin Clarke

Why is ice water used in acid hydrolysis of esters?

Case Engelen  Follow

For determining first order rate constant by acid catalyzed ester hydrolysis, ice water is added so as to arrest the reaction. This helps in determining correctly the amount of ester hydrolysed and the amount of product, Acetic acid formed after specific time intervals.

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Donald Knieriemen  Follow

You have to help me by letting me know where u got that idea from.

Hydrolysis as the name imply is reaction with water. However esters react so slowly with pure water that we have to heat the ester under reflux with dilute HCl or H2SO4.

The only situation I imagine ice water to be used is to quench the reaction when you are trying to determine the rate of reaction

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