Question

Arrange the following esters in increasing order of their ease of hydrolysis with suitable explanation.
(a) Phenyl acetate
(b) p-nitrophenyl acetate
(c) p-methoxyphenyl
(d) Tolyl acetate

• A. $c<d<a<b$
• B. $b<a<d<c$
• C. $c<d<b<a$
• D. None f these

Answer 1

The correct option is A $c<d<a<b$

The increasing order of their ease of hydrolysis of esters is $c<d<a<b$.
When electron releasing group such as methoxy group is present in the para position of phenyl ring, the ease of hydrolysis is minimum as the electron density on carbonyl carbon is maximum and its electrophilic character is minimum.
When electron withdrawing group such as nitro group is present in the para position of phenyl ring, the ease of hydrolysis is maximum as the electron density on carbonyl carbon is minimum and its electrophilic character is maximum.