Saponification: Base‑Promoted Ester Hydrolysis: Mechanism + Exam Traps

Hydrolyze esters under basic conditions to carboxylate salts + alcohols (saponification).

• Reaction: Saponification: Base‑Promoted Ester Hydrolysis
• What it does: Hydrolyze esters under basic conditions to carboxylate salts + alcohols (saponification).
• Typical reagents: 1) NaOH, H2O 2) H3O+
• Key intermediate: Acyl intermediate
• Driving force: Formation of more stable bonds / products
• Exam type: Predict major product
• Exam type: Mechanism choice