A NONLINEAR-REGRESSION MODEL APPLIED TO KINETIC-STUDIES OF ESTER HYDROLYSIS WITH A SURFACE-ACOUSTIC-WAVE SENSOR

A non-linear regression model was derived for the simultaneous determi nation of the rate constant in alkaline hydrolysis of esters and the i nitial concentration of esters based on the linear relationship betwee n the frequency response of the surface acoustic wave sensor system an d the conductivity oi the solution. The model was tested theoretically and experimentally with the methyl-, ethyl-, and n-propyl-acetate sys tems. The corresponding rate constants estimated at 25 degrees C are 0 .147; 0.103 and 0.0671 respectively.