What is the major organic product of the following reaction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

- The first step of the reaction is a substitution reaction between methanol (CH3OH) and acetyl chloride (CH3COCl), resulting in the formation of methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) and hydrogen chloride (HCl). This is represented by equation II. 
- Methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) is then hydrolyzed by water (H2O) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H+) to yield acetic acid (CH3COOH) and methanol (CH3OH). This is shown in equation I. 
- Therefore, the major organic product of the overall reaction is acetic acid (CH3COOH), which is formed in both steps. Hence, choices I and II are not correct while choices III and I and II are incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is D) Only I and II.

What Is the Major Organic Product of the Following Reaction