Saponification of ethyl acetate in 2,6-lutidine + water near its critical point

We have measured the rate of saponification of ethyl acetate (CH3COOC2H5) in 2,6-lutidine (2,6-DMP) + water (H2O) near and far away from its critical point by electrical conductivity experiment. We found that the rate of saponification slowed in the one-phase region at temperatures near the critical point. This behaviour is evidence in support of critical slowing down. Moreover, the experimental results were compared with those of the same reaction in a different critical mixture of 2-butoxyethanol + H2O [Y.W. Kim, Int. J. Thermophys. 25, 1025 (2004)].