Question

Why is ester hydrolysis slow in the beginning but becomes faster after sometimes?

Answer 1

In ester hydrolysis, an acid and alcohol are formed as the products. For example, Acid will release H+ ions in solution which act as catalyst (auto-catalysis) for the reaction. That is why, the hydrolysis isslow in the beginning and becomes faster later on.

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Answer 2

Ester hydrolysis can be represented as:
Ester + Water → Acid + Alcohol
The acid produced in the reaction acts as a catalyst and makes the reaction faster. Substances that act as catalysts in the same reaction in which they are obtained as products are known as autocatalysts.