Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Esterification Reaction
Esterification is a chemical reaction that forms an ester from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. In this context, diethyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate reacts with sodium ethoxide, which acts as a base, facilitating the nucleophilic attack of ethyl acetate on the carbonyl carbon of the ester. This reaction is crucial for understanding how the products are formed in the given reaction sequence.
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Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental reaction mechanism in organic chemistry where a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in a molecule. In this case, the ethoxide ion acts as a nucleophile, attacking the electrophilic carbon of the diethyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate. Understanding this mechanism is essential for predicting the products of the reaction after the slow addition of ethyl acetate.
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Acid-Base Reaction
An acid-base reaction involves the transfer of protons (H+) between reactants. After the nucleophilic substitution, the addition of HCl serves to protonate the alkoxide ion formed, converting it back to an alcohol. This step is important for completing the reaction and understanding the final products, as it influences the stability and reactivity of the intermediates.
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