Abstract
The saponification of ethyl acetate was measured by conductimetry at different temperatures within a batch reactor. A new mathematical model for obtaining concentration profiles from conductivity was presented and used for reactionβkinetics' determination. The Arrhenius parameters (A, E~a~) showed good agreement with the previously published values. Basic transitionβstate theory was used for obtaining the Gibbs energy (Ξ__G__β‘), the enthalpy (Ξ__H__β‘), and the entropy (Ξ__S__β‘) of activation. The low enthalpy of activation and negative entropy of activation were consistent with a reaction pathway when forming a transitionβstate complex. The suggested mechanism involves OH^β^, acting as a general base for removing proton from one of the hydroxide hydrating water, placed directly between it and the ester. The nucleophile from the water then attacks at the electrophilic C of the ester, breaking the Ο bond, and creating a tetrahedral intermediate. Β© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 692β698, 2012
This article was published online on 24 January 2012. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected on 16 July 2012.