Question

Define the following terms:

Pseudo first-order reaction

Answer 1

Pseudo first-order reaction
Pseudo first-order reaction: The reaction which is bimolecular but whose order is one is called pseudo first-order reaction. This happens when one of the reactants is present in a large amount. For example, in acidic hydrolysis of ester (ethyl acetate), water is present in a large quantity.

CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O →→  CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH

Similarly, inversion of cane sugar or hydrolysis of cane sugar is an example of pseudo first-order reaction.