acid hydrolysis of esters is of reversible nature, while alkaline hydrolysis is irreversible . why ?

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Please find below the solution to the asked query:

Acidic hydrolysis is  the reverse of esterification reaction. The ester is heated with a large excess of water containing a strong-acid catalyst. The reaction is reversible and does not go to completion.



 When a base (such as sodium hydroxide [NaOH] or potassium hydroxide [KOH]) is used to hydrolyze an ester, the products are a carboxylate salt and an alcohol. Because soaps are prepared by the alkaline hydrolysis of fats and oils, alkaline hydrolysis of esters is called saponification.


This reaction is reversible , because, the carboxylate ion (a nucleophile) which is formed, cannot attack  alcohol (which is another nucleophile)

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