ABSTRACT

This project report investigated the saponification reaction of ethyl acetate with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Saponification is a fundamental chemical process which involves the hydrolysis of esters in the presence of a strong base to form alcohol and the corresponding salt of the acid. In this study, the kinetics of the saponification reaction was explored, focusing on the determination of the rate constant and hence, the activation energy. The experimental procedure involved mixing of equimolar concentrations of ethyl acetate and NaOH under controlled conditions, followed by the monitoring of the reaction progress through titration and data analysis. Due to Industrial importance of the products of the process, there is great need for the process improvements to maximize its conversion, and economical utilization of raw materials. This study hopes to adequately illuminate the underlying energy landscape, facilitating a deeper comprehension of reaction mechanisms for optimizing production processes and ensuring consistent product quality in industrial processes