(a) The Key Mechanism for Fischer esterification omitted some important resonance forms of the intermediates shown in brackets. Complete the mechanism by drawing all the resonance forms of these two intermediates.
(b) Propose a mechanism for the acid-catalyzed reaction of acetic acid with ethanol to give ethyl acetate.
(c) The principle of microscopic reversibility states that a forward reaction and a reverse reaction taking place under the same conditions (as in an equilibrium) must follow the same reaction pathway in microscopic detail. The reverse of the Fischer esterification is the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of an ester. Propose a mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of ethyl benzoate, PhCOOCH2CH3.