Question:
Why is the ester hydrolysis slow in the beginning and becomes faster after sometime?
Solution:
Ester hydrolysis can be represented as:
Ester $+$ Water $\longrightarrow$ 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.