Question

Give an example of a pseudo first order reaction

Answer 1

Answer: An example of this is the hydrolysis of an ester to a carboxylic acid using water.

Explanation:

The reaction is truly second order and the rate depends on the concentration of the ester and water used.  But since water is often used as a solvent, then its concentration is in a huge excess compared to the ester and can be considered a constant.  Thus the reaction is pseudo first order for the ester.