Year
1971
Degree Name
Master of Science
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Kevin John, The alkaline hydrolysis of some ortho-substituted ethyl benzoates, Master of Science thesis, , University of Wollongong, 1971. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/2733
Abstract
Rate constants for the saponification of four oiftho substituted benzoic esters have been measm-ed over a range of temperatures in bOfo (w/vj dioxan-water, using a spectrophotometric teclinique for following the rate of reaction. The results for one compound, ethyl o-toluate, have been checiced by a titration technique. Thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated for the esters studied, and their values have been discussed in terms of substituent and solvent effects. The ultraviolet spectra of five other esters have been measured in the solvent indicated. The spectrophotometric technique has been found to be unsuitable for the study of rates of saponification of these esters, and the applicability and facility of this technique have been discussed. Difficulties have been encountered due to the reaction of hydroxyl ion with a solvent impurity, 2-methyl-1, 3-dioxolane, but aqueous dioxan has been found to be a suitable solvent for the study of ester hydrolysis reactions if it has been carefully purified.
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.