Orgo question help

[DenTony11235]

Whys this so??

Since RO(-) is better nucleophile than HO(-), wouldn't that make it a worse leaving group. So i get why the first reaction works, but why's the second one work...?

Does it mean that there would be an equilibrium going both ways? And if that's the case, would the equilibrium favor the formation of the ester?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ferneezy]

dont think of them as separate reactions. think of each reaction being one direction of an equilibrium which represents them both.

edit: geez i missed that you caught it's an equilibrium. which direction is favored is artificially determined by the reaction conditions...which i'm certain you need not know for the DAT.

 

[DenTony11235]

kk thanks ferneezy for confirmation.