Hydrolysis of ethanoic anhydride and esterification

Steps:

• Ethanoic anhydride, (CH₃CO)₂O, hydrolyzes with water to yield 2 mol ethanoic acid: (CH₃CO)₂O + H₂O → 2 CH₃COOH.
• The reaction requires 1 mol water per 1 mol anhydride based on balanced equation.
• The carboxylic acid, CH₃COOH, reacts with ethanol, C₂H₅OH, in esterification: CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O.
• Ester structure is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ (ethyl ethanoate).

Why B is correct:

• B pairs 1 mol water (matches hydrolysis stoichiometry) with ethyl ethanoate structure.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Incorrect ester structure despite correct water moles.
• C: 2 mol water overstates hydrolysis; only 1 mol needed.
• D: 2 mol water and wrong ester structure.

Final answer: B