Select the expected major product(s) of the following reaction:
D) A and B
E) A and C

Question

Select the expected major product(s) of the following reaction: 
D) A and B 
E) A and C

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction involves a nucleophilic attack by HO- on the carbonyl carbon of the ester. This results in the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate, which then collapses to give the carboxylic acid and an alcohol. In this case, the ester is ethyl pentanoate, and the HO- attacks at the carbonyl carbon to give the carboxylic acid pentanoic acid and the alcohol ethanol. The only product that shows this specific transformation is choice C.

Select the Expected Major Product(s) of the Following Reaction