Consider the mechanism of this reaction. Does sodium hydroxide act as a catalyst? Justify your answer. ### Transcription and Explanation of the Chemical ReactionThis series of chemical equations illustrates the conversion of methyl salicylate to salicylic acid through a series of reactions involving sodium hydroxide (NaOH).#### Reaction 1:**Reactants:**- Methyl salicylate (C₆H₄(OH)COOCH₃)- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)**Products:**- Sodium salicylate (C₆H₄(OH)COONa)- Water (H₂O)**Explanation:**The hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from sodium hydroxide reacts with methyl salicylate, resulting in the formation of sodium salicylate and water. This is an example of a saponification reaction where an ester is converted into a salt of a carboxylic acid.#### Reaction 2:**Reactants:**- Sodium salicylate (C₆H₄(OH)COONa)- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)**Products:**- Disodium salicylate (C₆H₄(ONa)₂COO)- Methanol (CH₃OH)**Explanation:**Further reaction with sodium hydroxide leads to the formation of disodium salicylate, a fully saponified form, along with methanol. This step involves the conversion of both the ester and hydroxyl groups to sodium salts.#### Reaction 3:**Reactants:**- Disodium salicylate (C₆H₄(ONa)₂COO)- Protons (2 H⁺, usually from an acid like HCl)**Products:**- Salicylic acid (C₆H₄(OH)COOH)**Explanation:**Upon treatment with an acid, protons replace the sodium ions, resulting in the formation of salicylic acid, the primary product. This step involves acidifying the disodium salicylate to yield the free acid form.### Diagram ExplanationThe chemical structures are shown as labeled diagrams with various functional groups and bonds:- Aromatic rings with hydroxyl and ester groups.- Na⁺ and O⁻ are used to denote sodium salts.- Arrows indicate the progression of the reaction stages, demonstrating conversion through each step.This process is commonly used in organic chemistry for the synthesis of salicylic

Please find your solution below : In this reaction the reactant Sodium Hydroxide acts as a catalyst.Sodium Hydroxide promotes the hydrolysis of esters by providing Hydroxide ions which are strong nucleophiles. This base catalysed hydrolysis of ester occurs by SN2 pathway. The reaction is irreversible because the end product of base catalysed hydrolysis of ester is alcohol and carboxylate ion. The carboxylate ion being stabilized by resonance shows very little tendency to react with alcohol. NaOH here comes into the role and converts the carboxylate ion into carboxylic acid. Hope this will help you. Thank you :)