Question

Protons accelerate the hydrolysis of ester. This is an example of :

• A. a promoter
• B. a heterogeneous catalyst
• C. an acid-base catalyst
• D. an auto catalyst

Answer 1

Answer: (C), (D)

The correct options are
C an acid-base catalyst
D an auto catalyst

A catalyst is a substance, which increases the rate of reaction without itself being consumed at the end of the reaction, and the phenomenon is called catalysis. There are some catalysts which decrease the rate of reaction and such catalysts are called negative catalyst. Obviously, the catalyst accelerating the rate will be positive catalyst. However, the term positive is seldom used and catalyst itself implies positive catalyst. Catalysts are generally foreign substances but sometimes one of the product formed may act as a catalyst and such a catalyst is called "auto catalyst" and the phenomenon is called auto catalysis.

In hydrolysis of ester, acid forms and hydrogen ion (proton) acts as a catalyst. So, this is a example of acid-base catalyst and auto-catalyst.