For the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate, \( \ce{CH3COOC2H5 + H2O -> CH3COOH + C2H5OH} \), what is the order of the reaction with respect to water, as found from its experimental rate law?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Zero
The order with respect to a reactant is the power of its concentration in the experimental rate law. For this hydrolysis the rate law is Rate = k[CH3COOC2H5]1[H2O]0, so the rate does not depend on the concentration of water and the order with respect to water is zero, though its stoichiometric coefficient is one.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
3.2.2 Rate Expression and Rate Constant – “2. CH3COOC2H5 + H2O → CH3COOH + C2H5OH Rate = k [CH3COOC2H5]1 [H2O]0 In these reactions, the exponents of the concentration terms are not the same as their stoichiometric coefficients.”