The dielectric constant and salt effects upon the acid hydrolysis of methyl propionate

The hydrolysis of methyl propionate catalyzed by hydrochloric acid has been studied at three temperatures in water-acetone media and in water media containing different concentrations of sodium nitrate. The specific velocity constants in wateracetone media were shown to conform to the theory for reaction between positive ions and dipolar molecules. bender's mechanism for ester hydrolysis has been accepted as plausible in view of the kinetics in mixed media. The specific velocity constants in the sodium nitrate solutions were shown to conform to the theory of Euler.