Esters, fats and oilsHydrolysis of esters

Esters are formed in condensation reactions and broken by hydrolysis. Fats and oils, important compounds in our diet, are naturally occurring esters and their structure explains their properties.

Part of ChemistryNature's chemistry

Hydrolysis of esters

The breaking up of an ester can be achieved by heating the ester with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide.

This is an example of a hydrolysis reaction (the opposite of a condensation reaction) as a water molecule is added and breaks up the structure.

Hydrolosis of esters