Search for question
Question

6. Orthoesters are compounds that have three alkoxy groups attached to the same carbon.For example, ethyl orthoacetate, CH3C(OCH2CH3)3. When ethyl orthoacetate is treated with dilute aqueous acid, ethyl acetate is

obtained. Propose a step-wise mechanism for this reaction using arrows to show electron flow where appropriate. \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{OCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{H}^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{C}(=\mathrm{O}) \mathrm{OCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}+2 \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH}

Fig: 1

Fig: 2