Effect of base concentration on hydrolysis of methyl benzoate

• Main Author: Vivian, Anak Kennedy.
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2016
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/24105/2/Effect%20of%20base%20concentration.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/24105/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Hydrolysis is a process involving the breakdown of complex molecules. Benzoic acid was produced via hydrolysis of methyl benzoate. Previous studies have shown that when the concentration of base increased, the percentage yield of product is also increased. Some of the studies reported that the yield of products has achieved its optimum point when the concentration of base is increased. In this project, methyl benzoate was reacted with 0.5 M, 10 M, 2.0 M, 4.0 M and 5.0 M of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solution in the presence or absence of methanol. The mixture was stilTed for 2 hours at room temperature and acidified with 2.0 M hydrochloric acid. The percentage yield of benzoic acid is higher at high concentration which is at 5.0 M of base.