\(C_6H_5COOC_2H_5\) on acid-catalyzed hydrolysis produces:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Benzoic acid + Ethanol
An ester RCOOR′ is hydrolysed in acid to the carboxylic acid and the alcohol from which it was made; this is the reverse of esterification. The C–O bond between the acyl group and the alkoxy oxygen is the one that breaks.
Ethyl benzoate is the ester of benzoic acid and ethanol:
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5COOC2H5 + H2O} \overset{\ce{H+}}{\rightleftharpoons} \ce{C6H5COOH + C2H5OH} \)
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (2) Ethanoic acid + Phenol — Incorrect. These would come from phenyl ethanoate, \( \ce{CH3COOC6H5} \), an isomer with the groups reversed.
Option (3) Benzoic acid + Ethanoic acid — Incorrect. Two acids would come from an acid anhydride, not from an ester.
Option (4) Ethanoic acid + Benzene — Incorrect. Hydrolysis does not break a C–C bond to the ring.