Question

Name the reaction of:
$C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5} \to {C_2}{H_5}OH + C{H_3}COOH$

Answer 1

Hint: always first check whether the reactions are balanced or not. If not balanced then it might be difficult to find out the name of the reaction, you might get confused. Observe that in this reaction the products have an extra OH and H in them. So if you add water to the reactant this reaction will become a reactant break in the hydrolysis reaction.

Complete answer:
In the above question, a reaction is given and we have to name the reaction taking place. First, observe the reaction and check whether it is balanced or not. In the above case, we can see that the reaction is not balanced. The products have an extra OH and H is them that the reactant does not have.
\[C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5} \to {C_2}{H_5}OH + C{H_3}COOH\]
As we can see above the H and OH marked above are extra that are not in the reactant. So now to balance the reaction we will add a water molecule to the reactant side.
 $C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5} + {H_2}O \to {C_2}{H_5}OH + C{H_3}COOH$
And now we can say that the above reaction is balanced.
When we observe the balanced chemical reaction, we see that the $C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5}$ is reacting with the water molecule to give the products. So there is the breakdown of the compound taking place in the presence of water. Thus this reaction is called Hydrolysis. In the reaction, there is the cleavage of the bonds of the compound by the addition of water. And this results in the products having an extra H and OH.
Hydrolysis also helps in breaking down proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates in food.

Note:
Hydrolysis and condensation are opposite reactions. In hydrolysis, the reactant breaks into two or more products, and in condensation, two or more molecules combine to form one large product. Hydrolysis thus adds water to break down, while when eliminating water and all other solvents, condensation builds up.