When the ester ethyl butanoate, CH_3 CH_2 CH_2 COOCH_2 CH_3, is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, which compounds are the products? a) ethyl alcohol and butanoic acid
b) butanol and ethanoic (acetic acid)
c) ethyl alcohol and the butanoate ion
d) butanol and the ethanoate ion

Option a

Explanation:

Ester ethyl butanoate is a Chemical compound with Molar mass of 116.16 g/mol, the Boiling point is 121 °C and the Density is 879 kg/m³.

Looking at the chemical representation of the compound, it can be shown that the chemical compound contains the an ester functional group and this it is formed through the reaction of a -COOH containing compound/salt and an alcohol.

The chemical representations showing the chemical reaction is given below;

CH3CH2CH2COOCH2CH3 + Acid(H2O, H^+) > C2H5OH + C4H8O2.

Thus, acidic hydrolysis of the ester gives ethyl alcohol and butanoic acid.