Question

Arrange the following compounds in decreasing order of their rates of hydrolysis with water. (A) Acetamide
(B) Acetyl chloride
(C) Ethyl acetate
(D) Acetic anhydride
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (C), (D), (B)
• B. (A), (B) and (D) only
• C. (A), (C) only
• D. (B), (D), (A), (C)

Hint:

Acyl chlorides are the most reactive toward hydrolysis, followed by anhydrides, esters, and amides.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Hydrolysis Rates.
The rate of hydrolysis generally increases as the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon increases. Acetyl chloride (B) is the most reactive due to the presence of a highly electrophilic chlorine atom. Next in reactivity is acetic anhydride (D), followed by ethyl acetate (C) and acetamide (A). Acetamide is the least reactive as it involves a more stable amide group.

Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct order is (A), (C), (D), (B). Hence, the correct answer is (1).

Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{(1) (A), (C), (D), (B)}} \]