General Base Catalysis of Ester Hydrolysis.

The hydrolysis of alkyl formates with leaving groups in the range pK a =12-16 is catalyzed by substituted acetate anions. There is an increase in the BrOnsted β value for general base catalysis with decreasing pK a of the leaving alcohol and a complementary increase in -β 1g with decreasing pK a of the catalyzing base, both of which are consistent with a value of p xy =∂β/-pK 1g =∂β 1g /-∂pK BH ≃0.11