The mechanism of the saponification reaction between ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide

1. Introduction
The mechanism of the chemical reaction is subtle, like the stars hidden in the vast night sky, to be explored by those who seek knowledge. Today, the saponification reaction between ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide is studied to reveal the mystery of its mechanism.

2. The initial reaction
ethyl acetate has the universality of esters. In its molecular structure, carbonyl is connected to ethoxy. Sodium hydroxide, a strong electrolyte, is rapidly ionized in water, and the raw sodium ion ($Na ^ + $) and the hydroxide ion ($OH ^ - $). When ethyl acetate is mixed with sodium hydroxide solution, the hydroxide ion, with its strong nucleophilicity, is like a brave person, and goes straight to the carbonyl carbon of ethyl acetate. Carbonyl carbon is partially positive because it is connected to the highly electronegative oxygen atom, which is the reason for attracting hydroxide ions.

Third, the reaction process
After the hydroxide ion attacks the carbonyl carbon, the π bond of the carbonyl group is forced to break, and the electron cloud is biased towards the oxygen atom, so that the carbonyl oxygen is negatively charged, and an unstable tetrahedral intermediate is formed at the same time. This intermediate is like a precarious building that is about to fall, and needs to be reconstituted and stabilized. At this time, the bond between the ethoxy group and the carbonyl carbon is gradually weakened, because the electron cloud density of the ethoxy oxygen atom is affected by the carbonyl group.

Fourth, the reaction product generates
unstable tetrahedral intermediates that are rearranged. The ethoxy group leaves in the form of ethoxy negative ions and binds to sodium ions in the solution to generate sodium ethyl alcohol. At the original carbonyl carbon, due to the redistribution of electron clouds, it forms a carboxyl group with the hydroxyl group, which then binds to sodium ions to form sodium acetate. At this point, the saponification reaction of ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide ends, and sodium acetate and sodium ethyl alcohol are obtained as products.

Fifth, Conclusion
This saponification reaction mechanism, such as precise mechanical operation, is interlocked in an orderly manner. It is of great significance in the chemical industry and academic research, not only for the study of ester hydrolysis, but also for the development of many related fields.