[Jene]

hi, a-level chemistry question.. and i have no idea where to go with it...unfortunately  i am now on easter holidays so can't go back to my teacher..eeks

starting with methyl-3-nitro benzenecarboxylate (methyl-3-nitrobenzoate?), i am reacting it with aqueous sodium hydroxide... this should give me 3-nitrobenzene carboxylic acid (i think). I also had to add H+, I'm guessing to acidify the solution..but i don't know why i had to do that..

my main question is.. with the reaction above.. what is the initial product?
and where could I find more information about this reaction?  

thanks, Jen x

p.s. i have 'chemistry in context' textbook, if anyone else has this and there is any info in it..I'd be grateful, i just don't know where to look for info...

[Albert]

The first reaction (benzenecarboxylate plus aqueous solution of NaOH) yields the sodium salt of 3-nitrobenzoic acid (and ethanol).

[Jene]

The first reaction (benzenecarboxylate plus aqueous solution of NaOH) yields the sodium salt of 3-nitrobenzoic acid (and ethanol).

isn't that just another name for 3-nitrobenzene carboxylic acid though??

[Albert]

Yes, both names are correct. Still, the first reaction won't give you an acid, but only its sodium salt.

You then add an acid in order to yield the aforementioned acid.

[Jene]

orite ok, so the sodium salt is the initial product then, yeah?

(thank-you for your quick reply  )