Phase Transfer Catalysis: Ester Bond Cleavage in Non-polar Medium with Hydroxyl Group

Abstract

A benzene solution of the ester when subjected to reaction with
aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of a small quantity of
tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as phase transfer catalyst
(PTC), benzoic acid was formed in more than 70% yield in about
6 h. The saponification rates of benzyl benzoate in 60% (v/v) acetonitrile-
water and 60% (v/v) dioxane-water solvents were measured
and were found to be relatively less.