The reaction is slow in the absence of a catalyst; ethyl acetate
is relatively unreactive in water. The addition of a small amount
of a strong acid or a strong base has a great effect. The rate of
hydrolysis, as expected, is proportional to the concentrations of
ethyl acetate and water. But if the catalyst is W or a similar strong
acid, then the rate is also proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration.
The experimental rate expression is