What is the rate-determining step of an acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of an ester?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate-determining step of an acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of an ester is the breaking of the ð bond and formation of the tetrahedral intermediate. This is because it is the slowest step and therefore limits the overall rate of the reaction. Protonation of the electrophile, protonation of the leaving group, and breaking of the ó bond and loss of the leaving group are all steps that occur more quickly than the breaking of the ð bond, and therefore cannot be the rate-determining step.

What Is the Rate-Determining Step of an Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of an Ester