A-Level Edexcel Chemistry Ester Hydrolysis

Review A-Level Edexcel Chemistry ester hydrolysis through acid and alkaline conditions, product structures and polymer or drug examples.

Exam points

predict acid or alkaline ester hydrolysis products from ester structures
draw hydrolysis products for polyesters, triesters or drug ester linkages
distinguish carboxylic acids from sodium carboxylates under acid or NaOH hydrolysis

[Maximum number: 1]

The synthetic drugs of the 'Caine' family are used as local anaesthetics. Caine drugs prevent nerve activity by binding to sodium channel receptors in the lipid cell membranes of neurons.

benzocaine

procaine

lidocaine

articaine

When benzocaine and procaine are hydrolysed, one of the products formed is the same in both reactions.

Give the structure of this product.

An answer that makes reference to the following point:

- structure of 4-aminobenzoic acid

Figure for Answer to Question 15.15—The hydrolysis reactions of esters, in acidic and alkaline solution question 1 — Edexcel A-Level Chemistry A2

Allow any combination of skeletal, structural or displayed formulae

Example of structure:

Allow Kekulé benzene

Allow protonation of $-\mathrm{NH}_{2}$ to $-\mathrm{NH}_{3}{ }^{+}$

Allow deprotonation of -COOH to $-\mathrm{COO}^{-}$ Allow zwitterion

Do not award any other hydrolysis product

(1)

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15.15—The hydrolysis reactions of esters, in acidic and alkaline solution question 1