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Master Organic Chemistry Reaction Guide

Basic hydrolysis of esters (saponification)

Description: Esters can be converted to carboxylic acids through treatment with strong base.

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Real-Life Examples:

Org. Synth. 1923, 3, 73

DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.003.0073

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Org. Synth. 1944, 24, 81

DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.024.0081

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Org. Synth. 1944, 24, 81

DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.021.0099

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Quiz 2057-OS-III-pg-705-2

Org. Synth. 1958, 38, 47

DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.038.0047

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Comments

Comment section

6 thoughts on “Basic hydrolysis of esters (saponification)

  1. For the mechanism in step 3, does the deprotonation always occur using the alkoxide or can another equivalent of base remove the H on the carboxylic acid and then give this H to the alkoxide? (I know this is a more roundabout way)

  2. I’m a little confused with the third example since it started with 5 carbons and ended with 6 carbons

  3. Is this really not an equilibrium? Because it says it is in my textbook for mechanism of Saponification of esters

    1. It’s not an equilibrium if the ester is being treated with NaOH, no. Once the carboxylic acid forms, it will be deprotonated to give the carboxylate and it stays there.

      Now, if instead of NaOH, an alkoxide is used (like NaOCH3 or NaOEt) THEN the reaction will be in equilibrium between two esters. That’s called, “transesterification” which is slightly different : – )

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