Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate is catalysed by HCl. The rate is proportional to the concentration of both the ester and HCl. The rate constant is 0.1 M^-1h^-1. What is the half-life, if the initial conce

Question

Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate is catalysed by HCl. The rate is proportional to the concentration of both the ester and HCl. The rate constant is 0.1 M^-1h^-1. What is the half-life, if the initial concentrations are 0.02 M for the ester and 0.01 M for the catalysing acid?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: D. HCl is a catalyst, so its concentration remains constant at 0.01 M. The reaction is pseudo-first-order. Effective rate constant k' = k[HCl] = 0.1 × 0.01 = 0.001 h^-1. Half-life t1/2 = ln(2) / k' = 0.693 / 0.001 = 693 h. Therefore, correct answer is D.

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