Chapter 20: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives. Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution

Interconversion Reactions of Esters

	esters
	acids
	amides

Reaction type:  Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution

Summary

• Esters can be converted into other esters (transesterification), the parent carboxylic acid (hydrolysis) or amides  (see above).
• Transesterification : heat with alcohol and acid catalyst
• Hydrolysis : heat with aq. acid or base (e.g. aq. H₂SO₄ or aq. NaOH) (see next page for more details)
• Amide preparation :  heat with the amine, methyl  or ethyl esters are the most reactive