Esters may undergo a process called hydrolysis in which an ester is split by water. Hydrolysis of esters can occur in the presence of strong acids or strong bases. When heated in the presence of a strong acid such as H2SO4, water splits an ester into a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. This process is called acid hydrolysis. In the presence of a strong base such as NaOH, water splits an ester into a carboxylic acid salt and an alcohol. This process is called base hydrolysis or saponification. Required:
Draw the carboxylic acid produced from the acid hydrolysis of butyl acetate.