Question

Ethyl trichloroacetate is significantly more reactive toward hydrolysis than ethyl acetate. Explain this observation. The three chlorine atoms withdraw electron density via induction. This effect renders the carbonyl group less electrophilic. The three chlorine atoms add electron density via induction. This effect renders the carbonyl group less electrophilic. The three chlorine atoms withdraw electron density via induction. This effect renders the carbonyl group more electrophilic. The three chlorine atoms add electron density via induction. This effect renders the carbonyl group more electrophilic.

Answer 1

The three chlorine atoms withdraw electron density via induction. This effect renders the carbonyl group more electrophilic.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ethyl trichloroacetate(C4H5Cl3O2) is significantly more reactive towards hydrolysis than ethyl acetate. This is because the three chlorine atoms withdraw electron density via induction and renders the carbonyl group C=O more electrophlic(tendency to attract more electrons).

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction which involves water molecules being added to a substance.

The increased electrophilic feature enhances its reaction with water.