Preparation and reaction of methyl acetate

Methyl acetate is produced industrially via the carbonylation of methanol as a byproduct of the production of acetic acid. Although not of commercial significance, methyl acetate arises by esterification in the presence of strong acids such as sulfuric acid.
In the presence of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid it is hydrolyzed back into methanol and acetic acid, especially at elevated temperature. The conversion of methyl acetate back into its components, by an acid, is a first-order reaction with respect to the ester. The reaction of methyl acetate and a base, for example sodium hydroxide, is a second-order reaction with respect to both reactants.